Witkoff Controversy Seen as Sabotage of Ukraine Diplomacy

The Kremlin has dismissed the uproar in Washington over alleged leaked transcripts involving US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, calling the reaction an orchestrated move to obstruct emerging diplomatic efforts on Ukraine peace process.

Speaking in Bishkek on Tuesday, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that demands within the United States to remove Witkoff from his role—following the circulation of supposed records of his conversations with Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov—reflect political maneuvering rather than genuine concern.

Peskov noted that even US President Donald Trump had “indirectly defended” Witkoff in recent remarks, emphasising that the envoy’s engagement with foreign officials was “part of the ordinary work of a negotiator.”

He downplayed the significance of the leaked conversations, remarking: “First of all, there is nothing particularly alarming here—if we leave aside the question of authenticity entirely.”

According to Peskov, calls to dismiss Witkoff appear to be designed to sabotage the fragile and incremental progress being made behind the scenes to explore a peace settlement for the Ukraine conflict.

“Many actors are determined to disrupt this process,” he said. “The pressure for Witkoff’s removal is likely another attempt to derail diplomatic efforts that are only beginning to gain modest traction.”

Meanwhile, as political tensions unfold in Washington, Russia remains publicly silent on any specific details of a Ukraine peace plan, even as its ground forces continue to register territorial gains in the country’s southeast, further complicating the operational landscape and negotiations.

The controversy erupted after a CNN report suggested that leaked transcripts of Witkoff’s interactions with Russian officials had stirred unease in Washington, adding pressure at a time when diplomatic channels—though quiet—are being tested by shifting battlefield realities.