Russian medal awarded by Putin to family of U.S. citizen who perished in combat for Russia, in 2024, was handed over by Witkoff.
In a unique and poignant moment, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivered the Order of Courage, a Russian Federation decoration, to the family of Michael Gloss, a CIA employee who lost his life in the conflict in Ukraine.
Michael Gloss, the son of a senior CIA official, tragically passed away during the ongoing conflict. His family, including his wife Juliane Gallina who serves as the CIA's deputy director for digital innovation, has suffered a profound loss.
The CIA issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the loss and requesting privacy for the family. The death of Michael Gloss is considered a private family matter by the CIA, not a national security issue.
Witkoff's role in the US effort to end Russia's war in Ukraine includes his meetings with President Vladimir Putin and his involvement in international talks. He traveled to Moscow this month to meet with Putin.
The Order of Courage is typically given to recognise selfless acts of courage and valor during emergencies, disasters, and war. Its delivery to the grieving family of an American who fought for Russia raised some eyebrows, with some observers seeing it as a diplomatic dig due to Michael Gloss's affiliation with the CIA.
However, Witkoff saw the moment as not about who Michael Gloss fought for, but rather the memories of their children and the overarching message of 'Let's end this war.' He delivered the medal to Juliane Gallina and her husband, who wept upon receiving it.
Witkoff made "game changing" agreements related to security guarantees for Ukraine during his meeting with President Trump. His meetings with top Russian and Ukrainian officials held in Saudi Arabia earlier this year were also significant in this regard.
Questions remain about how serious Putin is in pursuing a peace agreement. The delivery of the medal occurred after Putin gave the Order of Courage to Witkoff earlier this month. Witkoff also met with President Donald Trump in a summit in Alaska regarding the war in Ukraine.
This incident serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the ongoing efforts to bring peace to Ukraine.
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