Overview

• Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy, used Kremlin-provided interpreters during three meetings with Vladimir Putin, breaking standard U.S. diplomatic protocol.
• Witkoff, who does not speak Russian, relied on interpreters tied to the Russian Foreign Ministry, raising questions about the accuracy and impartiality of communication.
• Former U.S. ambassador Michael McFaul criticized the approach as a “very bad idea” that compromises negotiation records and puts the U.S. at a disadvantage.
• The White House defended Witkoff’s actions, stating he complied with security protocols, but bipartisan experts have expressed significant concern over his methods.
• The controversy highlights broader tensions surrounding Trump’s choice of non-traditional envoys and their adherence to established diplomatic norms.