Vice President Vance backs envoy in Putin controversy row
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance defends the presidential envoy Steve Witkoff regarding Ukraine. "Turns out a lot of diplomacy boils down to a simple skill: don't be an idiot," he wrote. In a recent interview, Witkoff claimed that Vladimir Putin is not a "bad person."
- Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, came under scrutiny following an interview with pro-Russian commentator Tucker Carlson, where he stated, among other things, that he does not consider Putin to be a "bad person."
- Witkoff partially retracted his controversial statements concerning Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories.
- U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance defends Witkoff, highlighting his achievements and diplomatic skills.
"Steve Witkoff is a great guy doing an incredible job. The people sniping at him are mad that he is succeeding where they failed for 40 years," Vance wrote on platform X. "Turns out a lot of diplomacy boils down to a simple skill: don’t be an idiot," he added.
Vance spoke out in support of Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, after criticisms emerged surrounding his interview with pro-Russian commentator Tucker Carlson on Friday.
In the interview, Witkoff claimed that he does not consider Vladimir Putin to be a "bad person" and appeared to legitimise the sham referendums conducted in the regions annexed by Russia, stating that "the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule." He also favourably recounted his conversation with Putin, in which the Russian leader told him he prayed for Donald Trump after an assassination attempt on his life. He further asserted that Russia does not wish to take over the whole of Ukraine nor intends to attack NATO.
Witkoff retracted some declarations
In a subsequent interview on Sunday on Fox TV, Witkoff partially retracted his statements suggesting the legitimacy of the annexation of Ukrainian territories. He clarified that Russia claims rights over these territories and that he remains neutral, but reiterated that he does not consider Putin a bad person, arguing the conflict is not "black and white". He also maintained that Putin has no ambitions to take control of the rest of Ukraine or to attack Europe.
"I just don’t see Putin wanting to take over all of Europe. I take him at his word. I think Europeans are coming around to this view too," he said.
Wave of criticism towards Trump's envoy
Statements by the chief participant in negotiations with Russia prompted a wave of criticism both in America and Europe. Commentators, including conservatives, accused Witkoff of naivety, lack of knowledge, and echoing Kremlin narratives. Conservative commentator Marc Thiessen stated on platform X that Witkoff is completely unprepared for his role.
"He’s dealing with a KGB mastermind in psyops who is playing him like a cat with a mouse in its paws," he said. His views were echoed by Republican Congressman Don Bacon from Nebraska. Fox News commentator Brit Hume criticised Witkoff for relativising Putin's crimes and aggression, and for claiming that "both sides of a story and has certainly played fair with you".
"Putin is a tyrant and his political opponents are often defenestrated. I wonder what this wizard thinks is the other side of those stories," remarked Hume.
Trump's envoy's statements were also condemned by "The Wall Street Journal", former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, and former American diplomats, while the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Witkoff "uncritically amplified a number of Russian demands, claims, and justifications regarding the war in Ukraine during an interview on March 21."
Witkoff, who, like Trump, hails from New York and the real estate industry, has been a friend of the president for many years. Although initially appointed as the envoy for the Middle East, he has also assumed a crucial role in negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin twice.
