Trump Envoy Critiques Starmer's Ukraine Ceasefire Vision

In a recent interview, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff described Sir Keir Starmer's proposal for an international force in Ukraine as simplistic and unfeasible, while professing admiration for Vladimir Putin and reiterating contentious Russian viewpoints regarding Ukraine.

Sir Keir Starmer's initiative to establish an international force aimed at facilitating a ceasefire in Ukraine has faced criticism from Steve Witkoff, a special envoy appointed by Donald Trump. Witkoff characterized Starmer's plan as little more than "a posture and a pose," asserting that it springs from a misguided belief that current leaders need to emulate the wartime resolve of Winston Churchill.

Speaking with pro-Trump journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff expressed a surprisingly favorable view of Vladimir Putin, revealing that he "liked" the Russian leader and considered him "super smart." In his statements, he highlighted a recent encounter with Putin, during which he was reportedly told that the Russian president had prayed for Trump's well-being following an assassination attempt. Additionally, Witkoff recounted that Putin once gifted Trump a portrait, which the former president appreciated.

While leading ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Witkoff echoed numerous Kremlin claims, including disputing Ukraine's legitimacy as a sovereign nation. He stated: "When will the world recognize occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian?" His claims concerning the status of Ukrainian regions were challenged by the Ukrainian government, as he was unable to accurately list the oblasts under Russian control.

Witkoff's assertions regarding the regional dynamics were met with skepticism, particularly when he stated that Ukrainian troops were surrounded in Kursk, a claim the Kyiv government denied. He downplayed the veracity of purported referendums in occupied areas, emphasizing that the methodology had been discredited.

Asserting that Russia viewed parts of Ukraine as inherently Russian, Witkoff articulated the Kremlin's long-held notion that historical claims underlie the conflict. He painted a narrative where Poland's territorial changes post-World War Two were equated to Russian claims on Ukrainian territories, stressing that Russia perceives these regions as rightfully theirs.

In response to Starmer's plans for security guarantees in a post-war Ukraine, Witkoff described them as simplistic. He contended that ongoing geopolitical structures, such as NATO, would prevent any Russian assaults across Europe, labeling such fears as "preposterous." He forecasted that a ceasefire in the Black Sea was imminent and shared Trump’s aspirations for future U.S.-Russia cooperation.

Witkoff concluded by emphasizing the potential for the U.S. and Russia to collaboratively address global challenges, including energy and technology. His statements underscore a complex and contentious landscape as peace discussions in Ukraine evolve, revealing the ongoing clash of narratives surrounding the conflict.