Ambassador Wittkoff Relied Exclusively on Translators Hired by the Kremlin
Unconventional Diplomacy: Wittkoff's Risky Gambit with Kremlin Interpreters
Insights: Using Kremlin interpreters could potentially lead to bias, compromise confidentiality, and jeopardize understanding during negotiations.
Steve Wittkoff, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, has made an unconventional move by relying on Kremlin interpreters during high-level talks with Russian officials, a decision that seasoned U.S. diplomats consider a disadvantage and a potential gamble.
In an unusual turn of events, Wittkoff, who does not speak Russian, relied on Kremlin interpreters during key meetings in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as reported by NBC News. The Western officials, including a U.S. official, shared their concerns about the decision.
This move deviates from established White House practice, where a U.S. interpreter typically attends international meetings. However, Wittkoff could not assess what was being said on the Russian side during these discussions.
Former U.S. ambassadors argued that using Kremlin interpreters might result in the loss of nuances in Vladimir Putin's messages, making it impossible for Wittkoff to independently verify what was being said.
A White House spokesperson claimed Wittkoff was adhering to all security protocols, but neither Wittkoff's team nor the State Department responded to NBC's request for comment.
During his April 25 meeting with Putin, Wittkoff was joined by Putin's special advisor Yuri Ushakov, a former Russian ambassador to the U.S., and Kirill Dmitriev, his special representative for investment and economic cooperation. An interpreter was also present.
The video of the meeting released by the Kremlin shows Wittkoff entering the room alone, raising concerns about his lack of support during delicate and complex negotiations.
Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, deemed this strategy a "very bad idea." McFaul explained that using the Kremlin's interpreter puts the negotiator "at a real disadvantage." "I speak Russian and have listened to Kremlin interpreters and U.S. interpreters at the same meeting," McFaul shared with the station. "The language is never the same."
McFaul went on to explain that relying on a US interpreter ensures a more accurate written record of the meeting, known as the conversation protocol or "Memcon." Without a US interpreter, it's impossible to independently verify the content of the meeting, potentially leading to errors and misinterpretations.
Context: Attack on Ukraine, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Russia, Diplomacy.
- The European Union has expressed concern over Steve Wittkoff's unconventional diplomatic approach with Russian officials, which includes relying on Kremlin interpreters, a move that may compromise understanding and potentially lead to errors or misunderstandings during negotiations.
- In the world of general-news and politics, Wittkoff's reliance on Kremlin interpreters during meetings with Russian officials, such as his April 25 meeting with Putin, has raised eyebrows amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
- Critics argue that by using Kremlin interpreters, Wittkoff may not only be putting himself at a disadvantage in complex negotiations, but also opening doors for potential compromises and biases that could impact the US-Russia relations, particularly concerning Ukraine.
- Given the significance of the Ukraine issue and bilateral relations with Russia, the US typically employs its own interpreters during high-level international meetings to ensure accuracy and integrity in communication, a practice that Wittkoff appears to have bypassed, sparking debate within the realm of crime-and-justice and diplomatic protocols.
