Trump secretly expands envoy's role to mediate in Ukraine conflict - NYT
Photo: US President's envoy for Middle East affairs Steven Witkoff (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has instructed his special envoy for Middle East affairs, Steven Witkoff, to assist in resolving Russia's war against Ukraine, The New York Times reports.
According to NYT sources, Trump instructed Witkoff to "play a certain role" in the process of resolving Russia's war against Ukraine.
To this end, the US president secretly expanded the envoy's mandate beyond Middle East affairs a few weeks ago "with the aim of opening a negotiation channel with the Russians."
As the outlet's interlocutors explained, Trump trusts Witkoff and reportedly believes that he possesses the necessary negotiation skills to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
Additionally, Witkoff has already held direct talks with unnamed "close allies" of Vladimir Putin and has also discussed Ukraine with contacts in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
At the same time, NYT notes that the exact division of responsibilities between Witkoff and Keith Kellogg — whom Trump officially appointed as special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine war — remains unclear.
The White House previously reported that US President's special envoy for Middle East affairs, Steve Witkoff, flew to Russia today, February 11. There, he retrieved an American imprisoned in Russia.
