“Constructive Initial Move” – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
4:39 PM – Monday, March 10, 2025
The United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, announced on Monday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued an apology to President Donald Trump in a letter following their public confrontation in the Oval Office.
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“Zelensky sent a letter to the president. He apologized for the entire incident that occurred in the Oval Office,” Witkoff stated during a Monday Fox News segment.
“I believe this was a significant step forward, and there has been extensive dialogue between our teams, Ukrainians, and relevant Europeans regarding this issue,” he elaborated. “These matters are not overly complex; they merely need to be presented openly, clarifying expectations before we can start negotiating compromises.”
Witkoff emphasized that Zelensky’s apology for his actions during their meeting represents a “positive development.”
Last week, during his address to Congress, President Trump mentioned receiving a letter from Zelensky, but did not disclose that it included an apology.
“Ukraine is eager to engage in negotiations as soon as possible to facilitate lasting peace. No one desires peace more than the Ukrainians,” Trump remarked, referencing Zelensky’s letter during his speech.
“We greatly appreciate the substantial support America has extended to help Ukraine uphold its sovereignty and independence,” Trump continued, reading from Zelensky’s correspondence.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the end of last month in the Oval Office was initially intended for Zelensky to sign a minerals agreement, which would deepen ties between the U.S. and Ukrainian economies.
However, the encounter escalated into a heated exchange, with President Trump asserting that Zelensky was “risking World War III.”
Zelensky’s apology comes after President Trump halted intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine, urging Kyiv to pursue negotiation options.
“I hope we can realign our relations with Ukraine and resume cooperation,” Witkoff expressed. “Ultimately, these decisions rest with the president, but I believe he views Zelensky’s letter as a very encouraging first step.”
Additionally, Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday in advance of a Tuesday meeting with Ukrainian officials, aiming to negotiate a peace accord with Russia.
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“We really seek to understand their position and the actions they are willing to take to achieve peace,” Rubio shared on Monday. “If we leave with positive outcomes from our meeting, we can inform the president, which may influence subsequent decisions regarding our pause.”
Rubio explained that the discussions aim not to “draw boundaries on a map” but to gain a “general understanding of what compromises are feasible for them and what concessions they would need in return. Additionally, we will assess the Russian stance on these matters to better gauge our differences.”
Rubio added that Ukraine has “endured significant hardships, and its people are suffering greatly. Following such events, discussing concessions is challenging, but it is the only path to resolution and to alleviate further suffering.”
Zelensky is reportedly in Saudi Arabia, though he is not anticipated to attend the meeting on Tuesday.
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