Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / AFP
The US presidential administration is growing concerned about the methods of negotiations between Special Representative Steve Witkoff and representatives of Russia and Iran. The former lawyer and developer, who became Donald Trump’s personal envoy, is negotiating on his own, without a team of advisers or professional diplomats, the New York Post reports.
Vitkoff and Putin: meeting with an “old friend”
According to the New York Post, during a recent meeting in the Kremlin, Vitkoff greeted Putin as an “old friend”, which drew criticism even among former officials close to Trump. No State Department representatives or military experts were present at the meeting, while Putin was accompanied by key advisers, including Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev.
“Vitkoff acts like a postman for Putin. He doesn’t negotiate anything,” commented former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.
Combining critical tracks
Analysts are concerned about Vitkoff’s simultaneous employment:
- US negotiations with Russia over the war in Ukraine,
- negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire,
- revision of the nuclear deal with Iran.
In addition, NYP sources indicate that Vitkoff sometimes relies on Russian interpreters, which violates traditional diplomatic protocols.
MEDIA: Vitkoff adopts Kremlin’s narratives
The Russian media noted that Vitkoff often repeats the Kremlin’s wording, demonstrating an unusual commitment to the Russian position.
