White House Envoy Reportedly Advised Russia on Presenting Peace Plan to Trump
WASHINGTON – According to sources familiar with the matter, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russian officials on how to best present a potential “peace plan” regarding ukraine to than-President Donald Trump during the final months of the Trump administration. The revelation,emerging from recent discussions among Ukraine‘s international supporters,paints a grim picture of current prospects for a ceasefire or peace agreement with Moscow.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after a Tuesday videoconference with allies, detailed assessments indicating “no Russian desire for a ceasefire” and a lack of “willingness to discuss” a revised American plan for Ukraine, developed following Geneva talks between American, Ukrainian, and European officials. Macron emphasized the need to “keep putting pressure on” Russia to negotiate.
Multiple participants in the call,including those with “direct exchanges with the Russians,in particular with President Putin,” reported on the interactions. Macron announced the formation of a working group, led by France and Great Britain, with the involvement of Turkey and the United States, to discuss “monitoring respect” of a future ceasefire “by surveillance.”
Regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, macron stressed the necessity of “a strong Ukrainian army,” stating that “Discussions in Geneva showed that there should be no limitation on the Ukrainian army,” a departure from earlier drafts of the American plan. A separate working group will focus on “reinsurance forces” to “consolidate this Ukrainian army” as a “second curtain” in the event of a Russian-Ukrainian agreement.
Macron also indicated a resolution regarding the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine is expected “in the coming days,” describing these assets as “extremely critically important” and “also a means of pressure” on Russia. He affirmed a coordinated approach with European countries and the European Commission to secure funding for Ukraine while maintaining leverage over Moscow.
