The White House continues to support Steve Witkoff, a close ally and special envoy for peace missions, despite recent reports suggesting his involvement in advising a key aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin on engaging with President Trump. Bloomberg News disclosed a transcript of a phone call on Oct. 14 where Witkoff reportedly discussed collaborating with Yuri Ushakov on a ceasefire proposal for Ukraine, proposing that Putin should present it to Trump.
The leak of a U.S.-led peace plan for Ukraine has caused confusion and backlash among Ukraine’s supporters. The leaked plan included conditions such as Ukraine limiting its military size and forgoing NATO membership aspirations, while Russia would gain additional territory from its 2022 invasion. Ushakov dismissed parts of the leaked plan as “fake” and declined to elaborate, citing the confidentiality of the call.
Following the Bloomberg report, House Republican Don Bacon called for Witkoff’s removal from the negotiation team, accusing him of favoring Russia over Ukraine. Witkoff’s upcoming visit to Moscow for peace talks with Russian officials was confirmed by the Kremlin, indicating continued discussions on the peace plan.
Despite criticism, President Trump defended Witkoff’s actions, labeling them as standard negotiation tactics. Trump mentioned upcoming meetings between Witkoff, Putin, and Jared Kushner, highlighting their previous collaboration on brokering a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.
Witkoff’s appointment as the White House’s special envoy for peace missions, despite lacking diplomatic experience, has drawn attention due to his long-standing relationship with Trump and significant political contributions. While praised for his role in facilitating peace between Israel and Hamas, Witkoff has faced scrutiny for his unconventional approaches in handling the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Recent revelations of undisclosed meetings involving Witkoff, Kushner, and a key Russian figure have sparked concerns within the State Department and prompted calls for greater transparency in diplomatic efforts. Efforts to amend the peace plan following the leak have been initiated, with international leaders expressing optimism about potential progress in resolving the Ukraine conflict.