How Steve Witkoff pushed Ukraine sympathizers out of White House, and led the US into Russia's arms
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is running a shadow operation inside the White House in an effort to sideline pro-Ukraine officials, the Kyiv Independent has learned.
Witkoff — a real estate mogul with no diplomatic background before his appointment — has emerged as one of the central architects of a new Washington peace proposal that Ukrainian officials say revives the Kremlin's most sweeping demands.
A source in Ukraine's President's Office earlier said that Witkoff is shaping the plan in direct coordination with Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's top economic negotiator and an operator in Moscow's efforts to influence Washington.
"He has been doing it for months," the source said, mentioning Witkoff's 28-point plan that has been seen in Kyiv as a de facto capitulation to Russia.
The plan, approved by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week, includes requirements for Ukraine to cede territory, slash its military, and limit its alliances — proposals far more sweeping than those discussed in earlier negotiation rounds.
"Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either 28 complicated points or the hardest winter yet — and the risks that follow," Zelensky said in an address to the nation.
According to Ukrainian and U.S. officials, the Kyiv Independent spoke with, it seems that after months-long back and forth, Witkoff's view of peace has won over Washington.
https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-is-trump-envoy-working-with-russia-witkoff-runs-operation-to-sideline-pro-ukraine-officials-inside-white-house/
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