US Envoy, Steve Witkoff, Under Scrutiny Following Ukraine Peace Plan Leaks
The US special envoy to Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, has come under fire following the leak of a phone call in which he appeared to be advising a Kremlin official on how to sell a peace deal to President Donald Trump. The leaked conversation has sparked controversy around the world, with some US lawmakers calling for Witkoff's dismissal. The situation has also prompted European leaders to voice concerns over the US's proposed peace plan, which they claim needs additional work
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Background and Context
Witkoff, a longtime friend of President Trump, has been instrumental in the ongoing peace negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and Russia. However, a transcript of a phone call between Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov, a top Kremlin aide, leaked by Bloomberg, has raised concerns about his role. The conversation suggests Witkoff was coaching Ushakov on how to present the peace deal to President Trump, an act seen by many as dubious and favoring Russia.
Key Developments
The leaked conversation, dated October 14, reveals that Witkoff advised Ushakov on how Putin should approach President Trump, drawing parallels to the Trump administration’s Gaza peace deal. We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace, and I’m thinking maybe we do the same thing with you,
Witkoff was quoted as saying, as per Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, emphasized that Moscow has not officially received the US plan, which demands Kiev to make significant concessions. This development comes as European leaders scramble to influence the US's peace plan for Ukraine, which they argue needs further refinement. This message was formally issued at a Group of 20 summit in South Africa.
Implications and Reactions
The leaked conversation has sparked significant backlash, with some US representatives calling for Witkoff's immediate dismissal. Republican representative Don Bacon stated, For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians.
On the other hand, President Trump has defended Witkoff, stating that the leaked call sounded like standard
negotiations. The Kremlin has also weighed in, with Dmitry Peskov stating that calls for Witkoff's dismissal are attempts to derail the peace process.
Current Status
Despite the controversy, Witkoff is expected to meet with Russian officials again next week for further discussions. The Kremlin aide, Yury Ushakov, has expressed hope that these talks will be more constructive than previous ones. As the situation unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see how these events impact the ongoing peace negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and Russia.