CIA head Ratcliffe may take over U.S.–Russia shuttle diplomacy from Witkoff, Kushner
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Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff (Photo: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)
The White House is considering replacing Steve Witkoff and
Jared Kushner with CIA Director John
Ratcliffe when it comes to spearheading trilateral Ukraine–U.S.–Russia
talks, the Financial Times reported
on Sept. 9.
According to unnamed sources cited by the FT, the aim is to give new momentum to diplomatic efforts to end the war, which have reached an impasse.
“Officials close to Ratcliffe have told European peers that he [Ratcliffe] will play a larger role in shuttle diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine — which is currently the purview of Witkoff and Kushner — while maintaining contact with intelligence officers in both countries,” the report said.
At the same time, people familiar with the situation said U.S. President Donald Trump had not made a final decision on the matter.
Two people involved in unofficial negotiations to end the Russo–Ukrainian war said the U.S. administration had considered changing the composition of its negotiating team after efforts to reach a peace agreement failed in late February. The diplomatic process was put on hold as the Trump administration focused on its war with Iran.
People familiar with the situation said Witkoff, a close friend of Trump’s, would likely retain his current position as the U.S. special envoy for peace efforts, which includes negotiations in the Middle East. The billionaire real estate investor could also remain involved in the Ukraine talks alongside Ratcliffe.
“Two of the people said there was a tug of war under way between Ratcliffe and Witkoff about who leads on what,” the FT wrote.
‘Witkoff’s freewheeling approach, bypassing the strictures of traditional diplomacy in favour of direct contacts more reminiscent of a New York real estate deal, has frustrated Russia, Ukraine and Kyiv’s western allies.”
According to the FT, Ukraine believes Witkoff did not put
enough pressure on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to soften his demands.
Russia, meanwhile, believes Witkoff was partly responsible for the failure of
last year’s summit with Trump in Alaska to produce a breakthrough, Ukrainian
officials and people familiar with the Kremlin’s position said.
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