Diplomatic Flurry: Trump's Envoy Steve Witkoff in Russia Amid Ukraine Talks
A senior aide to US President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, has arrived in Russia amid a significant uptick in diplomatic activity surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine. This visit, which commenced on April 11, comes in the wake of US-Ukrainian discussions taking place in Washington and a meeting convened by Britain and Germany in Brussels.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Witkoff's arrival, noting that he had made a stop in Moscow prior to high-level discussions scheduled with Tehran regarding Iran's nuclear program on April 12 in Oman. Peskov indicated that more information would be relayed if Trump's envoy were to meet with President Vladimir Putin.
According to the Russian state news agency TASS, Witkoff had an immediate meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, an influential figure within the Kremlin and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). The two had previously met in Washington, where they discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations.
This marks Witkoff's third visit to Russia during Trump’s presidency, a time when he has sought to mend ties with Moscow. His last meeting with Putin in March reportedly facilitated a phone call between the US and Russian leaders. Witkoff had also visited in February and played a role in the US-Russia discussions held in Riyadh.
Critics question Witkoff's credentials in such delicate diplomatic matters, as he is primarily known as a New York property developer and a close associate of Trump, rather than a seasoned diplomat. David Kramer, a former senior State Department official under the George W. Bush administration, expressed concerns regarding Witkoff's understanding of Russian negotiation tactics. "The fact that he lacks the context and history of how Russians negotiate and deal with the American side is, I think, a problem," Kramer noted during a conversation with RFE/RL on April 10. He elaborated on traditional KGB tactics, stating that Putin tends to flatter Witkoff, which may not be well-received by an envoy who lacks a deeper awareness of such dynamics.
Despite these reservations, Trump has been vocal in his support for Witkoff, calling him a "great dealmaker, a great negotiator, a great person" during a prior statement in January.
Witkoff's current mission is focused on rekindling stalled US initiatives aimed at establishing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Recently, Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow progress on both fronts, criticizing Russia for intensifying its bombing campaign against Ukraine and suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is backtracking on agreements concerning US access to Ukraine's rare earth mineral deposits. A Ukrainian delegation is scheduled to arrive in Washington on April 11 to discuss this deal further.
Amid these talks, significant developments are also occurring in Europe. In Brussels, progress is being made towards forming a European-led military force that would be deployed to Ukraine contingent on a ceasefire or peace deal. Turkish officials have indicated a willingness to manage the maritime aspects of such a force, as discussed during an April 10 meeting of the coalition of willing states.
So far, Britain and France have publicly committed forces, while other nations remain open to contributing based on the deployment's circumstances. On the same day, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, chaired by Britain and Germany, convened in Brussels to coordinate military aid to Ukraine. This group, initiated in 2022, was previously led by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, with his successor, Pete Hegseth, participating via video link.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius remarked on Hegseth’s contributions, emphasizing that European nations are gearing up to provide new support to Ukraine in the months and years ahead. Britain and Norway announced a joint military aid package containing drones, radar systems, and anti-tank mines, while Germany and the Netherlands pledged additional air and missile defense systems that could significantly affect battlefield outcomes this year.
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