Ukraine and Russia grow weary of US envoy Steve Witkoff as Trump backs him
Both Kyiv and Moscow are losing confidence in U.S. peace envoy Steve Witkoff, yet President Trump shows no intention of replacing him.
Ukrainian and Russian insiders say the U.S.-mediated peace track is faltering, largely due to doubts about envoy Steve Witkoff's competence and his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Witkoff's recent visits to Kyiv and Moscow with Jared Kushner produced no tangible breakthroughs, and both capitals are exploring ways to diminish his influence, including targeting his relationship with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Critics point to his casual demeanor, misunderstandings of territorial issues, and alleged miscommunication at last year’s Alaska summit. While some suggest CIA Director John Ratcliffe could take a larger role, the White House dismissed such reports and Trump continues to support Witkoff. Consequently, the diplomatic channel remains unchanged, leaving the peace process in a stalemate.
Why it matters
The envoy's credibility affects the prospects for ending the Ukraine war and U.S. influence in the negotiations.
How this story developed
- Aug 30 India supplies nearly a million barrels of gasoline to Russia as Moscow faces refinery attacks
- Sep 6 Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine have killed civilians and injured dozens in several oblasts.
- Sep 8 The three‑day pause on attacks ended and Russian strikes on Kyiv resumed.
- Sep 8 Casualty toll rises to as many as three dead and sixteen injured.
- Sep 10 Ukraine has started an offensive operation in the north of the Donetsk region, according to Brigadier-General Andrii Biletskyi.
- Sep 11 Russia has begun importing Jet A‑1 from South Korea and Egypt.
- Sep 14 Donald Trump, speaking on his return trip from Ireland to the United States, again urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to stop attacking Russian diesel refineries. He claimed that many diesel supplies originate from Russia and that Ukrainian strikes on those plants damage the global fuel market. Trump added that the ongoing shortage of gasoline and diesel is driven by the Russia-Ukraine war, not by events in the Middle East. Kyiv has defended the attacks, calling the refineries lawful military objectives that diminish Russia’s oil revenue and hamper its ability to fund the invasion. Recent Ukrainian raids have indeed lowered Russian fuel inventories, prompting concerns about broader energy security. The White House released a recording of the remarks, highlighting Trump’s continued involvement in the conflict’s diplomatic discourse.
- Sep 14 Trump posted on Truth Social that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to halt energy attacks.
- Sep 15 Ukrainian drones and missiles struck an Ozon warehouse in Taganrog and damaged an industrial facility in the Samara region.
- Sep 15 Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian assault on Lyman.
- Sep 16 Lavrov announced Russia's readiness to resume US‑Ukraine‑Russia negotiations and a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 16 A new drone attack on a bus has increased the civilian death toll in the latest wave of strikes.
- Sep 16 The House passed a fresh sanctions package targeting Russia with a 262-159 vote, now awaiting President Trump's signature.
- Sep 17 The Senate approved the bill with an 86‑11 vote last month.
In this story
Related stories
13 in this thread