President Vladimir Putin of Russia accused Western critics of US special envoy Steve Witkoff of seeking to prolong the Ukraine conflict and profit from the war, suggesting the backlash against Witkoff is part of a deliberate strategy to keep hostilities ongoing. Putin, in a recent statement, claimed that the backlash against Witkoff was meant to derail peace talks and prolong the conflict, stating that the accusations against the envoy are aimed at keeping the war alive.
Putin made the remarks following the publication of transcripts of a phone call between Witkoff and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov, which led to widespread criticism of the Trump administration’s envoy. He suggested the transcripts could be fake, pointing out that such acts of eavesdropping are illegal and could have serious legal consequences. Despite the accusations, Witkoff and other US officials are expected to engage in discussions with Russian counterparts in Moscow next week to explore the peace plan, which was initially drafted by Washington. This plan reportedly requires Ukraine to withdraw troops from the regions in Donbass it still controls, reduce its military, and forgo NATO aspirations in exchange for security guarantees from the West.
However, Ukrainian leadership and its European backers have responded with resistance, rejecting territorial concessions while insisting on potential NATO membership for Ukraine and the possibility of foreign peacekeeping troops. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticized the current situation, accusing the so-called ‘war mafia’ of siphoning European taxpayer funds. The EU is pushing for a swift resolution to continue its financial and military support for Ukraine, indicating that the situation remains volatile and politically charged despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.