Donald Trump is standing by his longtime ally and special envoy for peace missions, Steve Witkoff, despite a recent report suggesting Witkoff advised a key aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin on how to engage with the U.S. president.
Bloomberg News revealed the contents of an Oct. 14 phone call where Witkoff allegedly discussed collaborating with Yuri Ushakov on a ceasefire proposal for Ukraine, proposing that Putin should bring it up with Trump.
This development follows a period of uncertainty and backlash for the White House regarding a peace plan framework that was shared with Ukraine’s allies.
The leaked U.S.-led plan involved Ukraine limiting its military size and renouncing any ambitions for NATO membership, while Russia would expand its territory beyond current holdings following the invasion in February 2022.
Ushakov, responding to the leak, dismissed some details as “fake” without providing further clarification, citing the confidentiality of the call. He condemned the unauthorized disclosure of such a serious discussion.
House Republican Don Bacon has called for Witkoff’s removal from the negotiation team following the revelations in the Bloomberg report.
Bacon criticized Witkoff for allegedly favoring Russian interests over supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and democracy, questioning his ability to lead negotiations effectively.
Rep. Ted Lieu labeled Witkoff as an “actual traitor” on social media, adding to the criticism surrounding the situation.
Ushakov Reacts to the Leak
The White House did not challenge the authenticity of the transcript. President Trump, on his way to Florida, defended Witkoff’s engagement with the Russians as a standard negotiation process.
Trump disclosed plans for Witkoff to meet with Putin soon, highlighting the involvement of his son-in-law Jared Kushner in the peace efforts. Witkoff and Kushner were instrumental in brokering a ceasefire agreement during the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Kremlin confirmed Witkoff’s upcoming visit to Moscow next week for discussions on the peace plan alongside other senior U.S. officials.
Ushakov expressed his intention to communicate with Witkoff before the meeting to address the leaked information.
While Trump has condemned Russian actions in Ukraine, doubts have emerged regarding the administration’s alignment with the Kremlin, particularly given past instances where Trump appeared to favor Putin over U.S. intelligence reports on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Trump’s stance on Ukraine and President Zelenskyy has fluctuated from conciliatory to confrontational, with recent remarks criticizing Ukraine for a perceived lack of appreciation towards U.S. support in resolving the conflict.
Transition from Donor to Diplomat
Despite his limited diplomatic experience, Witkoff was appointed as the White House’s special envoy for peace missions, a position that did not require Senate confirmation in the Republican-controlled Senate. His close ties to Trump date back several years.
A 2021 ProPublica report highlighted Witkoff as part of a group of significant donors who substantially increased political contributions since 2015, with Witkoff contributing over $2 million to Trump and Republican causes. He also advised on tax policies and the opioid crisis.
Witkoff’s advocacy on Middle East conflicts, particularly the Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations, received praise from analysts, but his diplomatic approach in the Russia-Ukraine context has faced strong criticism, according to Atlantic reporter Isaac Stanley-Becker.
Notably, Witkoff engaged with Russian officials, including Putin, without conventional diplomatic protocols, prompting concerns over his methods.
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