Overview

• Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy, has held multiple solo meetings with Vladimir Putin, bypassing standard diplomatic protocols by relying on Kremlin translators.
• Critics, including former Trump administration insiders, have labeled Witkoff unqualified and accused him of mishandling high-stakes negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.
• Witkoff has been criticized for echoing Russian narratives, including treating referendums in occupied Ukrainian regions as legitimate despite international condemnation.
• The White House defends Witkoff, highlighting his role in securing the release of detained Americans, while experts question his lack of diplomatic experience.
• His expanding role in both Middle East and Russia-Ukraine diplomacy has raised concerns about his capacity to manage complex, concurrent negotiations effectively.