White House expresses worry over Witkoff's negotiating tactics with Putin, as per New York Post reports
Rewritten Article:
Steve Witkoff, a close associate of U.S. President Donald Trump, finds himself in the hot seat over his unconventional methods in high-stakes diplomacy with Russia and Iran, according to sources speaking to the New York Post. This real estate maven-turned-diplomat is Trump's go-to guy for dealing with the Russians and handling Middle East affairs – all while bypassing standard diplomatic protocol.
Witkoff has been known to take meetings with foreign leaders solo, without the usual entourage of advisers and military officials that typically accompany senior U.S. negotiators. A prime example is his April 25 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he was the only one at the table while Putin was joined by his aide Yuri Ushakov and Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev.
The New York Post sources paint Witkoff as a bit of a mixed bag: nice guy, but a bumbling fool. They suggest he shouldn't be doing this alone.
Witkoff's stance on Ukraine has alarmed officials due to his habit of echoing Putin's narratives without grasping Ukraine's position fully. While the special envoy for Ukraine is still Keith Kellogg, Witkoff has been making waves in Ukraine-Russia negotiations, even discussing a potential peace deal concerning "five territories." While he didn't explicitly name them, he may have been referring to Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and the partially occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.
Witkoff's role doesn't stop at Ukraine-Russia negotiations. He's also been tasked with brokering Middle East ceasefires and revisiting the Iran nuclear deal. Though he helped secure a two-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas before Trump's inauguration, it wasn't extended. And his lack of diplomatic experience has raised concerns about his ability to handle complex international negotiations effectively.
Alexandra Filippenko, an expert on U.S.-Russia relations, told the Kyiv Independent that Witkoff's prominent role in sensitive negotiations, despite operating outside the State Department, is an "unusual arrangement." She emphasizes that Witkoff's relationship with Trump, dating back to the 1980s Manhattan real estate scene, is key.
But with Witkoff's diplomatic methods calling traditional practices into question, it's no wonder White House staffers are on edge. Critics claim Witkoff is lacking in expertise, demonstrating pro-Russia leanings, and overextending himself by managing multiple high-stakes portfolios. This could undermine U.S. leverage in negotiations and lead to erratic policy outcomes that may increase global skepticism about U.S. diplomatic reliability under Trump.
- Steve Witkoff, a confidant of U.S. President Donald Trump, is under scrutiny for his unique approach in high-stakes diplomacy with Russia and Iran, as reported by the New York Post.
- Witkoff, a real estate mogul turned diplomat, had a solo meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 25, while Putin was accompanied by his aide Yuri Ushakov and Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev.
- Alexandra Filippenko, an expert on U.S.-Russia relations, considers Witkoff's prominent role in delicate negotiations, despite operating outside the State Department, as an "unusual arrangement."
- Witkoff has been involved in discussions of potential peace deals concerning five territories in Ukraine-Russia negotiations, possibly referring to Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
- Despite helping secure a two-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Witkoff's lack of diplomatic experience raises concerns about his ability to handle complex international negotiations effectively, potentially leading to questionable policy outcomes and global doubts about U.S. diplomatic reliability under Trump.
