Are there Russian agents in the White House? This question has arisen frequently since Donald Trump entered the world of politics. The businessman is often accused of colluding with Vladimir Putin’s regime. Investigations were even carried out during Donald Trump’s first term in office (2017-2021). The final report, written by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, highlighted disturbing elements and several meetings between the two heads of state’s entourage, but was unable to prove any understanding behind the American side.
These suspicions were resurfaced yesterday thanks to Bloomberg media disclosures about discussions between two members of circles close to power in Washington and Moscow. Last month, on October 14, American envoy Steve Witkoff, who is close to Donald Trump, spoke by telephone with Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president’s diplomatic adviser.
During the discussions, we found Witkoff stepping out of his role as negotiator, who usually seeks to bring Russia’s position closer to Ukraine’s demands. On the contrary: the American seemed inclined to support Russian interests and advised his interlocutor on how best to talk to Donald Trump, while a conversation between Trump and Putin was planned within 48 hours.
“The President should be congratulated on his achievements (Editor’s Note: peace in the Middle East), Witkoff said. It must be said that you support him, that he is a peace-loving person and that you are very happy with what has just happened. I told the President that Russia has always wanted a peace treaty, and I am very sure of that. (…) Say this to President Putin, you know that I respect him very much. Maybe he can tell President Trump: Steve and Yuri talk about a 20-point peace plan. »
The conversation that derailed Zelensky’s visit?
The conversation created a stain: at the same time, Donald Trump seemed to be openly hardening his stance towards Vladimir Putin. The American President showed the beginning of his annoyance with the Russian President’s attitude. He even mentioned sending “Tomahawks,” long-range missiles, to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky is about to move into the White House. As the entire world wondered whether America had finally opened its eyes to the nature of Vladimir Putin’s regime, the President’s envoy assured that Russia was selling its best interests to Washington, and a phone conversation was arranged between Trump and Putin the day before Zelensky’s visit.
This report of discussions between the American and Russian heads of state confirms that the instructions were indeed passed: Vladimir Putin began by congratulating Donald Trump. He later warned that sending Tomahawks to Ukraine was an unacceptable escalation. The United States has never delivered these missiles.
In a verbatim version of the conversation between Witkoff and Ushakov, we can guess the basis of the 28-point plan published this week. In particular, the question of territory was mentioned. “I know what it would take to reach a peace deal: Donetsk and maybe a territory exchange somewhere,” Witkoff said, before outlining the path to take to get there: “But instead of talking like that, let’s talk in a more positive way. I’m very confident we will achieve that goal. I’m sure the president will give me a lot of latitude to conduct these negotiations. »
The Witkoffs and Trump have business ties
The White House wants to debunk the issue. Donald Trump talks about a “standards approach.” “That’s what a negotiator does,” he continued. He had to sell this project to both parties. I imagine he said the same thing to Ukraine. » Many doubt that Ukraine benefits from the same preferential treatment from the American envoy…
Additionally, there are many people, including members of the Republican Party, who have not addressed this. Representative Don Bacon (Nebraska, Republican) was blunt: “This entire affair is a failure and a duty to our country. Witkoff behaved as if he was in the pay of Russia. We should fire him. » Another Republican elected official, Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), called for his country to return to a more traditional diplomatic approach: “Let’s let Secretary of State Marco Rubio do his job fairly and objectively; This is a big deal, these ridiculous charades and secret meetings have to stop. »
Steve Witkoff is a member of the inner circle of White House tenants. The Trump and Witkoff families are closely linked in the cryptocurrency business. Therefore, he will not be let go: he will also go to Moscow next week, this time officially, to meet Vladimir Putin. “Maybe with Jared Kushner” (Editor’s Note: Donald Trump’s Son-in-Law)added the American president.
Another discussion, dated October 29, was published by Bloomberg, this time between two Russian figures: Yuri Ushakov again, and Kirill Dmitriev, an unofficial negotiator. “I think we will make a paper about our position, and I will spread it informally,” Kirill Dmitriev told Ushakov. I don’t think they will take our version exactly, but at least it will be as close as possible. » Revealed last week, the White House’s 28-point plan is similar to Russia’s demands.
