Trump Administration Displeased with Ambassador Witkoff's Negotiation Methods Regarding Dialogue with Russia - New York Post
Hangin' Out & Flip-Floppin' Diplomacy: Steve Witkoff's Unconventional Approach
Steve Witkoff, real estate bigwig, turned Trump's proxy to the East, seems to have raised a few eyebrows in the White House.
Witkoff, who's not just sipping martinis with Vlad the Putin, but also trading quips with the Russian leader, has been rubbing shoulders at the top table of power - and sometimes even relying on Kremlin translators - a move that brings back memories of long-forgotten diplomacy protocol.
Before locking horns with Putin last Friday, Witkoff extended a warm, buddy-buddy greeting, ditching the usual show of U.S. power - the soft jazz orchestra, the entourage of advisers, experts, and military personnel that usually tag along during these high-stakes meetings.
Instead, Putin was flanked by his aide, Yuri Ushakov, and the big cheese of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev.
With Russia on the mind and Ukraine on his lips, John Hardie, the director of the Foundation for Defence of Democracy's Russia program, said, "Anybody engaging in these kinds of talks with Putin would benefit from having experienced Russia hands joining them for meetings with the Kremlin."
While Witkoff has been spinning plates as the guy in charge of keeping peace between Israel and Hamas and working to tweak the nuclear deal with Iran, his inexperience and fondness for the Kremlin might seem more than a handful.
In fact, Witkoff's previous diplomatic efforts have raised eyebrows and brought on criticisms:
- Lack of Diplomatic Experience: Witkoff's diplomatic journey lacks the usual textbooks, raising doubts about his ability to handle complex negotiations like a seasoned pro.
- Blind-Sided by Ideologies: Some believe Witkoff underestimates the deep-rooted ideologies of groups like Hamas and Iran, potentially misreading their intentions.
- The Unpredictable Russian Dance: Witkoff's involvement in conversations with Russia has not gone unnoticed, with some questioning the wisdom of approaching negotiations with one of America's biggest adversaries in an unconventional manner. Witkoff's positive portrayal of Putin, whose actions are often seen in a less favorable light internationally, adds fuel to the fire.
Overall, Steve Witkoff's tenure as the diplomat-for-hire has been filled with a unique style and the challenges associated with tackling tricky scenarios without previous diplomatic chops.
- Amidst concerns over his lack of diplomatic experience, Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul turned diplomat, has been negotiating health issues related to policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, and politics with foreign entities, including Russia and the Middle East.
- As Putin's technology-driven policies get a cold shoulder from the international community, Witkoff's relatively positive approach towards the Russian leader has drawn attention, raising questions about his strategy and allegiances.
- In an era of new work dynamics, where audiologists and general-news outlets are tracking diplomatic changes, Witkoff's unconventional entrance into diplomacy has stirred discussion on whether his 'upgradeenter' perspective could disrupt traditional diplomatic protocols.
- In the midst of the growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, onlookers and experts alike have scrutinized Witkoff's attempts to broker a ceasefire, pondering if his approach might derail efforts or possibly lead to lasting peace.
- As diplomatic talks between nations continue amidst intensifying war-and-conflicts and complex policy-and-legislation, Witkoff's intersection with Putin and other world leaders has sparked debates on the merits of an unconventional, business-oriented approach versus the traditional wisdom of seasoned diplomats.
