Mathias Busekist
According to Witkoff, it would be the fastest way to achieve peace.
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Less than 48 hours after having dinner with a negotiator sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Washington last week, Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy leading the talks with Moscow, spoke with President Donald Trump at the White House and delivered a clear message.
Steve Witkoff, a close associate of President Donald Trump and his special envoy for Middle East affairs, has proposed a contentious plan to expedite peace in Ukraine.
The proposal suggests recognizing Russian sovereignty over four eastern Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—which Russia attempted to annex in 2022.
Witkoff presented this plan to President Trump during a meeting at the White House, following a dinner with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Washington. The proposal has sparked debate within the Trump administration, with General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy for Ukraine, opposing the idea.
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Kellogg emphasized that Ukraine might consider negotiating certain conditions regarding disputed territories but would not agree to unilaterally cede full ownership to Russia.
The administration appears divided on the best approach to resolve the ongoing conflict. While Witkoff advocates for a more conciliatory stance towards Russia, Kellogg and others caution against making concessions that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Witkoff’s informal meeting with Dmitriev, who is under U.S. sanctions, raised concerns among officials at the White House and the State Department. Hosting sanctioned individuals in private residences deviates from standard security protocols, prompting the rescheduling of the dinner to the White House.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the Trump administration faces the challenge of balancing the pursuit of peace with the imperative to uphold international norms and support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
