One-sentence summary: In a recent podcast, Trump’s Ukraine negotiator Steve Witkoff echoed several Russian propaganda lines, raising concerns about the administration’s stance in ongoing peace negotiations.
Steve Witkoff, appointed as the Trump administration’s special envoy for Ukraine peace talks, has drawn sharp criticism from the Wall Street Journal editorial board for comments made during a podcast interview with Tucker Carlson. Despite claiming neutrality in the conflict, Witkoff repeated multiple arguments aligned with Russian propaganda, notably asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no desire to dominate Europe or even Ukraine-apart from the regions he already occupies.
Witkoff compared the occupation of Ukraine to Israel’s control over Gaza, suggesting that Russia has little interest in full occupation, a view the editorial board finds historically and strategically naïve. The article references Russia’s past and present aggression toward neighboring states like Georgia, Moldova, and the Baltic nations, and underscores Putin’s broader imperial ambitions. Furthermore, Witkoff claimed that Russian-speaking areas of eastern Ukraine voted overwhelmingly to join Russia, ignoring the coercive and militarized conditions under which those referendums were held and the significant number of Ukrainians who fled those regions.
The editorial also critiques Witkoff’s dismissal of European involvement, specifically his derogatory comments on Britain’s peacekeeping suggestions and Europe’s overall strategic posture. He accused European leaders of romanticizing Churchill while ignoring current geopolitical threats. The article suggests this attitude undermines U.S. alliances at a time when Europe is stepping up its own defense.
While acknowledging the necessity of diplomatic restraint in negotiations, the piece warns that the administration’s apparent alignment with Russian narratives could lead to a peace deal that favors authoritarian influence over democratic sovereignty. The editorial concludes by drawing a parallel to historical appeasement, suggesting the outcome of the negotiations will determine whether the administration is more like Winston Churchill or Neville Chamberlain.
The Editorial Board. “Steve Witkoff Takes the Kremlin’s Side.” The Wall Street Journal, 24 Mar. 2025, www.wsj.com/opinion/steve-witkoff-ukraine-russia-tucker-carlson-podcast-donald-trump-df4c240b.
Key takeaways:
- Steve Witkoff echoed several Russian talking points during a podcast, contradicting claims of neutrality.
- He downplayed Russia’s ambitions in Europe and Ukraine, raising historical inaccuracies.
- Witkoff cited dubious referendums to justify Russian control over eastern Ukraine.
- He criticized European allies, particularly the UK, for their approach to Ukraine peacekeeping.
- The editorial warns against U.S. officials inadvertently promoting Russian propaganda during negotiations.
Important quotations:
- “Mr. Putin ‘100%’ doesn’t want to overrun Europe.”
- “Why would they want to absorb Ukraine?… That would be like occupying Gaza.”
- “There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated they want to be under Russian rule.”
- “[Europeans] have a ‘simplistic’ desire to mimic Winston Churchill.”
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