Trump Envoy Dismisses Keir Starmer’s Ukraine Ceasefire Plan, Praises Putin
Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has dismissed UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s plan for an international force to support a Ukraine ceasefire, calling it “a posture and a pose.”
Witkoff Criticizes Starmer’s Ukraine Plan
In an interview with pro-Trump journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff criticized European leaders for what he described as a “simplistic” approach to foreign policy, suggesting they were attempting to emulate Winston Churchill. He also questioned fears that Russia could extend its aggression across Europe, pointing to NATO’s deterrent power.
Praise for Putin and Controversial Remarks
Witkoff, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin just 10 days ago, described him as “super smart” and “gracious.” He claimed that Putin had prayed for Trump after last year’s assassination attempt and had even commissioned a portrait of Trump as a gift, which the former US president was “clearly touched by.”
During the interview, Witkoff repeated several Kremlin-backed narratives, including the claim that Ukraine is “a false country” and that occupied Ukrainian territories should be recognized as Russian. He also echoed Russia’s justification for its full-scale invasion, stating that Russia sees the five occupied regions as rightfully theirs since World War II.
Misinformation and Disputed Claims
Witkoff made several controversial statements, including:
- False claims about Ukrainian forces: He claimed that Ukrainian troops in Kursk were surrounded, a statement denied by Ukraine’s government and unverified by open sources.
- Discredited referendums: He asserted that the four partially occupied regions of Ukraine held legitimate referendums in which the “overwhelming majority” voted to join Russia, despite international condemnation of these votes as fraudulent.
- Russian-speaking regions: He suggested that the occupied oblasts were Russian-speaking, implying this justified their annexation, a narrative widely disputed.
The five regions in question—Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea—were either annexed or partially occupied by Russian forces.
US-Led Ceasefire Talks and Continued Conflict
Witkoff is leading US ceasefire negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. However, he struggled to name the five annexed or occupied regions and referred to “these so-called four regions,” miscounting the territories.
As ceasefire talks continue, Russia has intensified its military campaign. Ukrainian authorities reported deadly Russian drone attacks on Kyiv overnight, killing three people, including a five-year-old child. Russia also struck Zaporizhzhia on Friday, killing a family of three. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed it had shot down 59 Ukrainian drones across occupied regions, including Crimea.
Trump’s Vision for US-Russia Relations
Witkoff suggested that Trump, if elected, would seek closer ties with Russia, proposing collaboration on Arctic energy policies, LNG gas exports to Europe, and artificial intelligence.
He also predicted that a ceasefire in the Black Sea could be implemented “over the next week or so” and hinted that a full 30-day ceasefire was close to being agreed upon.
Global Reactions to Witkoff’s Statements
Witkoff’s remarks have sparked debate, with critics accusing him of promoting Russian propaganda and undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty. Starmer’s proposal for a coalition to provide military security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine remains a topic of contention among international leaders.
As tensions remain high, all eyes are on the upcoming ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia, where US officials will meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian representatives to seek a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing war.