Special envoy to the Middle East on negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, as well as with Gaza

(CBS, KYMA/KECY) - Steve Witkoff, White House Special Envoy to the Middle East, spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday about negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Brennan referenced her earlier interview with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where she brought up Secretary Rubio's question if whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is sincere in seeking a ceasefire or if this was a delay tactic, and asked Ambassador Witkoff if he has an answer to Rubio's question.

"I was there for quite some time...and I agree with the Secretary's assessment. We made a lot of progress in that meeting. It was a meeting that was...it could have been as long as four hours, but it was certainly at least three. We talked about a lot of specifics, and I point to the large gap that existed between Ukraine and Russia prior to the inauguration, and where we are today. We have narrowed the issues between both of these parties, making a lot of progress, in my opinion, and I think that meeting underscores that."

Steve Witkoff, White House Special Envoy to the Middle East

Brennan also brought up Witkoff saying on "another network" Sunday that he expects Presidents Trump and Putin to speak this week.

This prompted Brennan to ask if this was a "decision-making call," or if this is just the next steps, to which Witkoff said, "I would assume that, you know, they have a real relationship from the president's first term. They've talked already, after the first visit that I had with President Putin. And I think this is going to be a very positive and constructive call between the two men, between the two presidents."

Witkoff added, "President Trump is the ultimate decision maker, our decision maker. And President Putin, for the country of Russia, is their decision maker. I think it's a very positive sign that the two of them will be talking at some point. I think that's showing that there's positive momentum, that there's an inclination on the part of both countries, and by the way, this includes Ukraine as well, to get to a long term, durable peace here."

During the interview, Brennan and Witkoff talked about peace negotiations with Gaza, with Brennan asking if Witkoff is talking to other countries about relocating two million Palestinians in Gaza because in the past, according to Brennan, Witkoff mentioned both Egypt and Jordan as possibilities.

"I mean, I think we're exploring all alternatives and options that leads to a better life for Gazans. And, by the way, for the people of Israel. So we're exploring all of those things. But right now, what's right in front of us, is coming to some sort of resolution on this conflict. And the recent experience that we had at the Arab Summit, where we spent seven and a half hours with leaders of various Arab countries, the recent experience we had with Hamas' response was not encouraging. Now to me, we put a very sensible proposal on the table that was intended as a bridge to get to a final discussion and final resolution here, that would have incorporated some sort of demilitarization of Hamas, which must happen. That's a red line for the Israelis. And maybe could have led to a long term peace resolution here. And yet, Hamas came up with their own construct, essentially disavowed what we discussed, and to my mind, that was a pretty poor ending, and I hope they reconsider, because the alternative is not so good for them."

To watch more of Brennan's interview with Witkoff, click here.