Trump Envoy Critiques Starmer's Ukraine Ceasefire Initiative

Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, has criticized UK politician Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal for an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine, dubbing it a "posture and a pose". In a recent interview, Witkoff, who has praised Putin, reiterated controversial claims about Ukraine.

Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, has dismissed Sir Keir Starmer's initiative for an international military force to support a ceasefire in Ukraine, labeling it as mere theatrics and a misunderstanding of the situation. Witkoff contended during a discussion with pro-Trump journalist Tucker Carlson that Starmer's vision stemmed from a “simplistic” comparison to Winston Churchill's leadership mentality during WWII.

Witkoff, who recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed admiration for Putin, stating he views him favorably. He claimed to have had a gracious interaction with the Russian leader, who reportedly prayed for Trump after a past assassination attempt. Witkoff's stance on the conflict echoed Russian narrative, asserting that Ukraine is not a legitimate state and questioning when the international community would recognize regions occupied by Russian forces.

Despite leading ceasefire discussions between Ukraine and Russia, Witkoff displayed a lack of knowledge about the five Ukrainian regions currently under Russian control and made several factually problematic claims, insisting that the four partially occupied territories had held valid referendums to determine their allegiance to Russia. Observers argue that these referendums were deeply flawed and lacked credibility.

In light of ongoing military escalation, including drone attacks on Kyiv and strikes in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian officials are bracing for U.S.-led ceasefire discussions set to occur soon. Witkoff's commentary, which aligns with Kremlin viewpoints, raises critical questions about future negotiations and international dynamics surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

As Ukraine continues to face challenges, Witkoff's remarks could shape ongoing policy discussions regarding international response and support in the region.