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Ukraine peace negotiations down to just one issue claims US envoy Steve Witkoff

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Steve Witkoff walks in the corridors during the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos
Steve Witkoff walks in the corridors during the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos. Picture: Alamy

By Danielle de Wolfe

US envoy Steve Witkoff has claimed negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine now boil down to just one issue.

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Speaking during an appearance in Davos following Trump's landmark U-turn over Greenland, Mr Witkoff insisted that peace deal negotiations centre around one issue left to iron out.

The comments come ahead of Witkoff's upcoming trip to Moscow, where he's set to engage in talks with Vladimir Putin over a possible deal.

Answering questions on Thursday, Witkoff said a great deal of progress had been made, adding: "we're at the end now".

It comes as Vladimir Putin insisted he was considering Trump's Board of Peace membership offer, according to the Kremlin.

Insisting "we are going to get it done," Witkoff's comments come after US President Donald Trump dropped his threat of punitive 10 per cent trade tariffs on the UK and other European countries after announcing a “long-term deal” on Greenland.

Read more: UK rejects Donald Trump's Board of Peace invite amid 'concerns about Vladimir Putin's involvement'

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a cabinet meeting via videoconference at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a cabinet meeting via videoconference at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia. Picture: Alamy

The conference attended by European allies saw leaders stand firm in their refusal to support his plan to annex Greenland.

Witkoff's upcoming trip to Russia will see him joined by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the pair venture to meet Putin as part of the US delegation.

Speaking on Wednesday, Putin said he would meet with the pair to "continue dialogue on the Ukrainian settlement" as well as Trump's "Board of ‌Peace".

The subject of frozen Russian assets also looks to be broached.

It comes months after Trump’s special envoy broke with protocol by not employing his own interpreter.

It's an incident that saw him instead attend solo, relying on translators from the Kremlin - a move criticised by many.