Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has dismissed UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal for an international force to uphold a ceasefire in Ukraine, calling it “a posture and a pose.”

Speaking to Tucker Carlson, Witkoff criticized the plan as overly simplistic, claiming that European leaders, including Starmer, were driven by a desire to emulate Winston Churchill.

During the interview, Witkoff expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin, describing him as “super smart” and stating that he did not view the Russian president as a “bad guy.” He also revealed that Putin had recently gifted Trump a commissioned portrait and had prayed for him following an assassination attempt.

Despite leading U.S. ceasefire negotiations, Witkoff struggled to name the five Ukrainian regions annexed or partially occupied by Russia, vaguely referencing “Donbas, Crimea, and two others.” The correct regions—Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea—have been at the heart of the conflict.

Witkoff reiterated several disputed Russian claims, including assertions that Ukraine is a “false country” and that occupied territories held referendums overwhelmingly favoring Russian rule—votes widely discredited by international observers. He further suggested that the war stemmed from Russia’s belief that these regions had belonged to it since World War II.

Challenging fears of Russian expansion, Witkoff dismissed the notion that Russia intends to advance across Europe, emphasizing NATO’s role as a deterrent. He predicted that a ceasefire in the Black Sea would be implemented soon and hinted at broader U.S.-Russia cooperation under Trump, including energy partnerships and AI collaboration.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1258 HRS, MAR 23, 2025
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