Negotiating in the Dark: Trump's Ukraine Envoy Relying on Kremlin Interpreters
Trump's Ukraine expert relied on translators linked to Russia's government
Proving that even the best-laid plans can go awry, Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, found himself in a compromising position during high-level meetings with the Russian side. This curious choice of relying on Kremlin interpreters has raised eyebrows among U.S. diplomats and experts.
The story unfolded during several meetings in February, March, and April in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Despite the unusual nature of the arrangement, Witkoff welcomed Russian interpreters, spending several hours at a stretch with them during each meeting. According to NBC, a U.S. official, and two other Western sources, this is a stark departure from traditional diplomatic practice.
Witkoff, who has no political experience and doesn't speak Russian, found himself in the dark as to what was being said on the Russian side during the negotiations. Two former U.S. ambassadors have voiced their concerns over the potential loss of intricate details in Vladimir Putin's messages due to the use of Kremlin interpreters. With no independent verification of the discussions, there's genuine apprehension about the accuracy of the information that Witkoff received.
In all fairness, Witkoff is a former real estate magnate and a cryptocurrency trader, who was appointed by Trump as the White House's special envoy. His lack of diplomatic experience is now evident, as suggested by the NBC report. Typically, an interpreter from the American side attends international talks, ensuring that even when the other side's counterparts are exchanging views among themselves, the negotiator can still be translated. However, this luxury was not extended to Witkoff during his meetings with the Russians.
As for Vladimir Putin, he communicates in English during negotiations and official meetings, but he relies on interpreters nonetheless. At the meeting with Witkoff on April 25, Putin was flanked by his special advisor, Yuri Ushakov, a former Kremlin ambassador to the U.S., and Kirill Dmitriev, his special representative for investments and economic cooperation. The team also included an interpreter. A short video of the meeting, released by the Kremlin, depicts a smiley Witkoff, seemingly unaccompanied by advisors or experts that usually support American officials in delicate negotiations.
The use of Kremlin interpreters has been criticized by Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia. He described the arrangement as a "very bad idea" and "a real disadvantage" for Witkoff. Furthermore, he highlighted the discrepancies in translations, pointing out that the presence of a U.S. interpreter ensures a more accurate written record, known as a conversation protocol, for further examination by senior officials. Such precision is not guaranteed when relying solely on Kremlin interpreters.
In conclusion, the case of Steve Witkoff raises concerns about the risks and potential disadvantages of relying on Kremlin interpreters during critical U.S.-Russia diplomatic meetings. The loss of vital linguistic nuances, compromised accuracy of records, and strategic disadvantages can undermine the integrity and effectiveness of high-level diplomacy. It underscores the importance of maintaining a trusted, independent translator in such sensitive negotiations.
Keywords: Ukraine, Russia, Diplomacy, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin
Insights:
- Miscommunication and loss of nuances are significant risks when relying solely on Kremlin interpreters.
- The absence of a U.S. interpreter compromises the accuracy of records and undermines the government's understanding of discussions and agreements.
- Trusted, independent translators are essential to ensure accuracy, create written records, and maintain a fair negotiating position.
- The European Union, with its extensive network of diplomatic experts, has expressed concern over the use of Kremlin interpreters in U.S.-Russia negotiations, citing potential drawbacks in accuracy and loss of nuances.
- In a WhatsApp group dedicated to general news, discussions surrounding the case of Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's Ukraine envoy, have illuminated the controversy with the Kremlin interpreters, prompting questions about the reliability of the negotiations' outcomes.
- Against the backdrop of war-and-conflicts and politics, concerns are being raised about the use of Kremlin interpreters, as seen in the recent meetings between Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin – a case that highlights the need for independent translators to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of high-level diplomacy.
- With growing scrutiny around U.S.-Russia relations, several policy analysts and political commentators have drawn attention to the potential impact of relying on Kremlin interpreters, discussing the issue on various platforms – from traditional politics forums to social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn.
