Donald Trump is standing by his long-time friend and special envoy for peace missions, Steve Witkoff, despite a recent report that suggested Witkoff was advising an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin on how to engage with the U.S. president.
According to a transcript published by Bloomberg News, Witkoff discussed collaborating with Yuri Ushakov on a ceasefire plan for Ukraine and recommended that Putin raise the issue with Trump.
This development comes following a week of uncertainty and backlash regarding a proposed peace plan involving Ukraine. The leaked plan proposed limitations on Ukraine’s military capabilities and ruled out any future NATO membership aspirations, while granting Russia additional territory following its invasion in February 2022.
In response to the report, House Republican Don Bacon called for Witkoff’s removal from the negotiating team, stating that his apparent favoritism towards Russia raises concerns about his ability to lead the negotiations effectively.
The White House did not dispute the authenticity of the transcript, with Trump characterizing Witkoff’s actions as standard negotiation tactics during a telephone call with Ushakov. Trump mentioned that Witkoff would soon meet with Putin, with Jared Kushner also playing a role in the discussions.
The Kremlin confirmed that Witkoff will visit Moscow with other senior U.S. officials to engage in talks about the peace plan. Ushakov expressed annoyance at the leak of the discussion and stated that he would communicate with Witkoff before their meeting.
While Trump has criticized Putin for military actions in Ukraine, the report has prompted further scrutiny of the administration’s alignment with Russia. Trump’s past interactions with Putin have raised questions about his stance on Russian interference in U.S. elections.
Witkoff, despite lacking diplomatic experience, was appointed as the White House’s special envoy for peace missions due to his longstanding relationship with Trump. He has been praised for his involvement in brokering peace agreements in the Middle East but has faced criticism for his handling of the Russia-Ukraine file.
Efforts are underway to amend the peace plan following the recent revelations, with global leaders expressing cautious optimism about the potential for progress in resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
