Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has rejected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plan for an international force to support a Ukraine ceasefire, calling it “a posture and a pose.” In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Witkoff criticized European leaders for adopting a “simplistic” Churchill-like stance.
Witkoff, who recently met Vladimir Putin, described the Russian president as “super smart” and “gracious,” adding that Putin had commissioned a portrait of Trump as a gift. He also repeated Russian arguments, claiming Ukraine was a “false country” and questioning when occupied Ukrainian territories would be recognized as Russian. However, he struggled to name all five annexed or partially occupied Ukrainian regions.
His claims included assertions—either unverified or widely disputed—such as Ukrainian troops being surrounded in Kursk and that referendums in occupied areas showed overwhelming support for Russian rule. He further echoed Kremlin narratives, stating Russia had “reclaimed” five regions and had no interest in absorbing Ukraine entirely.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported deadly Russian drone strikes on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, killing civilians, including a child. Russia claimed to have downed 59 Ukrainian drones.
Witkoff stated that a ceasefire in the Black Sea would be implemented within a week, with broader negotiations continuing. He also hinted at Trump’s plans for future U.S.-Russia cooperation in energy and AI.