🧑💼 In President Donald Trump’s administration, concerns have been raised about the negotiation style of special envoy Steve Witkoff in dealings with russia and Iran.
Source: PRYAMYI
🤝 Witkoff, who serves as Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East and also leads negotiations with russia, has been criticized for conducting talks unilaterally, at times relying on kremlin translators — a practice that contradicts established diplomatic norms.
👋 Prior to one of his meetings with putin, Witkoff reportedly greeted the kremlin leader as an “old friend.” The negotiations were held without the usual presence of U.S. advisers, experts, or military representatives.
👥 Meanwhile, putin attended the meeting accompanied by aides and the head of russia’s Direct Investment Fund, kirill dmitriev — an official representative of the russian president.
❗ A former member of Trump’s first administration criticized Witkoff’s “solo negotiations.” Other officials are also concerned that he has been granted excessive authority, ranging from negotiations with russia to ceasefire processes between Israel and Hamas, as well as Iran’s nuclear program.
📢 NYP also highlights that Witkoff often echoes putin’s statements and readily adopts russian narratives regarding the war in Ukraine.
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