Bloomberg has reported that Witkoff, a former senior adviser to the U.S. Department of Defense, provided strategic counsel to a Kremlin official on diplomatic approaches involving Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump. The discussion centered on the potential for Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage with Trump in a manner that could ease tensions over the ongoing Ukraine conflict and the Gaza ceasefire discussions.
The advice reportedly suggested that Putin should publicly acknowledge Trump’s efforts to broker peace in the Middle East, with specific emphasis on the Gaza ceasefire. Witkoff’s recommendation was to frame this recognition as a gesture of mutual respect, potentially improving diplomatic channels between Moscow and Washington. This approach aims to position Trump as a peacemaker while also allowing Russia to maintain its diplomatic leverage.
While the details of the advisory remain unconfirmed, the suggestion highlights the complex interplay of geopolitics in current international relations. The report underscores the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Ukraine conflict and the potential for Trump to play a mediating role in international disputes. Such developments could have broader implications for global diplomatic efforts and the relationships between major world powers.