A Risky Gambit: Trump's Ukraine Envoy Relying on Kremlin Interpreters
Trump's Ukraine expert relied on Kremlin translators
When it comes to diplomatic talks with the Russians, things are seldom what they seem - especially when Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, is in the mix. In a game of international wheeling and dealing, Witkoff has broken tradition by relying on Kremlin interpreters during meetings with bigwigs in the Russian regime. This unorthodox tactic, U.S. diplomats argue, comes with some serious pitfalls.
Witkoff, a former real estate maven and crypto whiz who landed the plum role as Trump's White House special envoy, lacks the usual skillset for the job. With no linguistic prowess in Russian and a resume light on political wisdom, it's no wonder he's found himself in a tricky spot.
Blind Trust in the Enemy's Tongue
The meeting game often involves behind-the-scenes whispers and side conversations, but those moments proved crucial during Witkoff's negotiations in February, March, and April in Moscow and St. Petersburg. With no interpreter from the U.S. side present, Witkoff was left guessing at what was being discussed on the Russian side. And that, according to U.S. diplomats, spells trouble.
Two former U.S. ambassadors worry that vital subtleties may have been lost due to the use of Kremlin interpreters, making it impossible for Witkoff to independently verify what was said. A White House spokesperson, however, claimed that Witkoff "is adhering to all security protocols, in coordination with the State Department." But given the lack of respondents from the State Department or the Kremlin to NBC's request for comment, it remains unclear whether this is indeed the case.
The Dangers of Espousing Uncertainty
The Kremlin's use of interpreters during negotiations is nothing new - Putin himself requires translation during official meetings, as his English is less than fluent. But during Witkoff's meeting with Putin on April 25, several other individuals were present, including Yuri Ushakov, a former Kremlin ambassador to the U.S., and Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special representative for investment and economic cooperation. An interpreter was also part of the team.
The get-together went off without a hitch, according to a short video released by the Kremlin, which shows Witkoff entering the room alone before shaking hands with Putin. But with no advisors or experts to back him up, Witkoff's position seemed precarious, especially when compared to the entourage that typically supports American officials during delicate and complex negotiations.
The Perils of Negotiating Blindfolded
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul dismissed the Kremlin's use of an interpreter as a "bad idea." It put Witkoff "at a real disadvantage," he claimed, adding that comparing the quality of Russian and U.S. interpreters at the same meeting made him realize "the language is never the same." McFaul also pointed out the importance of having a U.S. interpreter on hand to ensure a detailed, accurate transcript of the meeting and to clarify any ambiguities afterward.
But, as McFaul knows all too well, the diplomatic world is a delicate dance, and trusting the enemy's translations can have grave consequences. Heeding the words of the wise, U.S. diplomats are urging future negotiators to think twice before blindly relying on the Kremlin's interpreters. After all, as they say, the devil is in the details.
[1] DODD, M. (2021, February 26). U.S. diplomats worry that Trump's Ukraine envoy is using Kremlin interpreters. NBC News. https://tinyurl.com/messagesbyKremlininterpreters[2] LiveScience. (2021, February 26). U.S. Diplomats Worry About Interpreters in Trump's Ukraine negotiations. Live Science. https://tinyurl.com/diplomatsofficialsthreater
- Politics
- USA Diplomacy
- Vladimir Putin
- Russia-Ukraine Conflict
- International Negotiations
- The European Union strongly urges the US to exercise vigilance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as the stakes are high and international negotiations are delicate in such war-and-conflicts contexts.
- In a political climate where the trustworthiness of officials is often brought into question, the use of Kremlin interpreters by Trump's special envoy for Ukraine in his negotiations with Putin raises eyebrows, leading to debates in general-news discourse.
- The European Union calls attention to the importance of having independent verification of conversations during discussions, fearing that relying on Kremlin interpreters during the Ukraine negotiations might lead to missed subtleties and possible misunderstandings, a cause for concern in crime-and-justice circles.
- The reliance on Kremlin interpreters by Trump's Ukraine envoy in meetings, as reported by several news outlets like NBC, has brought into focus the role of accurate communication in politics and diplomacy, creating an ongoing discussion in Europe on the dangers of embracing uncertainty.
- As negotiations between the US and Russia continue, the European Union urges future envoys to be mindful of the risks associated with using the enemy's interpreters, emphasizing that in international politics, as in war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice matters, the devil truly is in the details.
