Presidential Office reacts to Witkoff scandal for the first time
Photo: Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President Mykhailo Podolyak (Getty Images)
Ukraine has no connection to the scandal over the leak of transcripts of conversations between US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian officials. Kyiv distinguishes between official documents and what happens around them, stated Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Podolyak said that there is a clear position from the US administration regarding the peace plan. The plan is being discussed on several platforms with representatives from the US and European countries.
"This relates to an attempt to establish a realistic mechanism for ending the war: security guarantees, the role of allies, and the consequences for Russia in the event of renewed aggression. It is a complex and fragile discussion in which every word matters," he noted.
Podolyak emphasized that there is a story of informal contacts, conversation recordings, and leaks of those recordings. These issues primarily affect domestic politics and discussions in various countries, including the US.
"Ukraine, of course, has nothing to do with the organization of these publications. We act directly, within the framework of partnerships, with transparent logic and with red lines that are absolutely clear to our allies," the presidential advisor reminded.
Podolyak also added that all sensitive issues, such as territorial matters and the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, will be discussed between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.
"The President of Ukraine is ready for such a meeting at any moment. It is clear that without a personal conversation between the two presidents, it is impossible to respond correctly to the most sensitive questions. It is equally clear that Russia is not yet showing any willingness to end the war," he concluded.
Leak of Witkoff and Ushakov talks: what is known
Bloomberg published transcripts of conversations between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov on November 26. The transcripts show that Witkoff gave Ushakov a series of tips on how to flatter Trump.
Among other things, Witkoff effectively thwarted the delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. He advised Ushakov to arrange a call between Putin and Trump a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the US. Due to Trump's rescheduling, Ukraine did not receive the missiles.
The transcripts also reveal that the developers of the controversial so-called peace plan, which the White House attempted to push on Ukraine last week, were Russians, not the US. Meanwhile, the White House did not dispute the authenticity of the transcripts and even praised Witkoff for his actions.
The mood among US politicians is very different. In particular, some influential Republican members of Congress openly called Witkoff a Russian agent and a traitor.
For more details, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.
