“He doesn't know what he's talking about.” Trump's envoy, accused of misinterpreting Russia's position after meeting Putin from Kremlin

Steven Witkoff confused Russia's request regarding the “peaceful withdrawal” of the Ukrainians in the Herson regions and a offer with an offer of “peaceful withdrawal” of the Russians in these regions. “Witkoff does not know what he is talking about,” a Ukrainian government official told Bild. An evaluation that, according to the information of the German tabloid, also share officials of the German government.

The three -hour Wednesday's discussions between Trump's special envoy and Russian president led to a peace summit in Ukraine next week in Alaska, between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

According to the officials who discussed with the German tabloid Bild, even before the Peace Summit scheduled on August 15, the Kremlin did not give up the maximum request: the complete control over the five Ukrainian regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Zapoarie, Herson and Crimea, before the cessation of fire. The Russian side has only suggested “sectoral cessation of fire” such as mutual renunciation of attacks on energy infrastructure or large cities behind the front lines.

In no case, however, Putin does not want to stop Russia's great offensives on the front line, even though the US have proposed, instead, to raise most sanctions against Russia and to conclude new economic agreements.

Trump even advanced the idea of an “territory exchange”, whereby Russia would keep part of the donbas occupied in exchange for renouncing other territories – a proposal categorically rejected by the President of Ukraine. Bild mentions that Trump is thinking only of Donetsk and Luhansk as Witkoff did not understand Russia's position on Herson and Zaporojie.

Witkoff seemed to Europeans overwhelmed and devoid of competence

According to reports, a teleconference between representatives of the US government, including the Special Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and JD Vice Partners, and European partners took place on Thursday evening. From the information obtained by Bild, the American side was perceived as chaotic and divided.

This impression was mainly due to Witkoff, whose comments about the conversation had Putin on Wednesday, in Kremlin, were perceived as confusing. In the discussions on the territorial issues in Ukraine, he seemed overwhelmed to Europeans overwhelmed and devoid of competence.

Bild says there was also a disagreement between Witkoff and Rubio about the way of action, as the Secretary of State stressed that Europeans should be involved in the subsequent process, while Vance and Witkoff just wanted to inform Europe about Trump's following steps.

Shortly after the visit of Witkoff to Moscow, US President Donald Trump announced that he will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, on Friday, August 15, in Alaska.