A High-Level Blunder: Trump's Ukraine Envoy Relying on the Russians for Interpretation
Trump's Expert on Ukraine Employed Kremlin Translators
Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, has been making waves in the diplomatic world by opting for Kremlin interpreters during crucial meetings with Russian reps. This odd move has upset U.S. diplomats, as per reports from NBC and other sources.
In a series of talks in Moscow and St. Petersburg between February and April, Witkoff, who isn't fluent in Russian and boasts no political experience, surprisingly relied on Russian interpreters for hours-long conversations. It's a bizarre departure from the norm, as U.S. representatives typically bring their own interpreters to international talks.
Witkoff, a former realty mogul and cryptocurrency trader, was assigned by Trump to the White House. His inexperience is now showing up in his bizarre decision to abandon a long-standing protocol in favor of Russian interpreters. By skipping the usual practice of having an American interpreter in diplomatic discussions, Witkoff missed out on understanding the Russian side's deliberations.
According to two former U.S. ambassadors, the use of Kremlin interpreters poses a risk of losing subtleties and nuances in Vladimir Putin's messages. With Witkoff unable to independently verify discussions, there's a chance that crucial pieces of information might slip through the cracks.
While a White House spokesperson asserted that Witkoff is sticking to all security protocols in coordination with the Department of State, Witkoff's team remained tight-lipped when contacted by NBC. Neither the Department of State nor the Kremlin responded to requests for comment.
During one meeting in April, Putin was accompanied by his special advisor, Yuri Ushakov, along with Kirill Dmitriev, his special representative for investment and economic cooperation. As usual, Putin communicated through an interpreter during the meeting.
The short video of the meeting released by the Kremlin showed Witkoff entering the room alone, looking somewhat isolated before shaking hands with Putin. There was no sign of advisors or experts, who normally bolster American officials during complex talks.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, called the use of a Kremlin interpreter a "very bad idea," arguing that it puts Witkoff at a "real disadvantage." In his experience, McFaul stated that the language interpreted by Kremlin and U.S. interpreters at the same meeting is "never the same."
Having a U.S. interpreter on hand guarantees a precise recording of meetings, known as a Memcon, for future reference. McFaul stressed that he would always question the American interpreter following a meeting to ensure the Memcon was accurate – an option that becomes impossible with Russian officials.
The Nit-Gritty: Why This Move Spells Trouble
- Bias and Control: Using Kremlin interpreters could introduce bias, potentially shifting the narrative to favor Russian interests and jeopardizing accurate communication.
- Security and Confidentiality: Relying on Kremlin interpreters could compromise sensitive information, as they might report back to Russian officials.
- Diplomatic Protocol: Ignoring standard diplomatic protocol raises concerns about impartiality and neutrality in negotiations.
- Perception of Influence: The use of Russian interpreters might give the impression that Witkoff is influenced by or overly dependent on the Kremlin, potentially eroding trust in the diplomatic process.
In conclusion, the use of Kremlin interpreters weakens diplomatic integrity, potentially leading to misunderstandings and mistrust. As negotiations between Ukraine and Russia unfold, accurate interpretation is of utmost importance to ensure a favorable outcome for all parties involved.
- Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, who is relying on Russian interpreters during crucial meetings with Russian representatives, has even sought the aid of Putin's special advisor, Yuri Ushakov, and Kirill Dmitriev, his special representative for investment and economic cooperation.
- In the general-news, the European Union, the global political body, has expressed concern about the reliance of Witkoff on Kremlin interpreters during talks with Putin, fearing potential bias, compromise of sensitive information, and a weakening of diplomatic integrity.
- To maintain accuracy in reporting and ensure the success of the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, the European Union strongly suggests that Witkoff consider utilizing a WhatsApp group with trusted interpreters for real-time, unbiased translations of political discussions, rather than relying on Russian interpreters.
- The European Union urges the White House to re-evaluate the current political situation, emphasizing that any ceasefire offer with Russia will lose credibility if Witkoff persists in relying on Kremlin interpreters, potentially jeopardizing the diplomatic process and eroding faith in the fairness of the negotiations.
