Ukraine-Russia. Talks in Istanbul can end in a total failure

Secondly, Witkoff brought Trump something that is most important to him – success. He was sent to the Middle East, due to his previous business contacts in the region and before the inauguration of Trump as president He helped lead to a truce in gas.

His subsequent duties – negotiations with Russia or Iran – They were a reward for effectiveness. Trump believed that he had a man next to him who is able to guarantee him success on the international arena. Witkoff gave a fresh look to negotiate (due to his lack of diplomatic experience), and at the same time aroused the trust of foreign interlocutors (because they were aware of his very close relationships with the president – it was known that he would pass what needed).

Is the translator flying with us?

– I think it is very dangerous, because consciously or unconsciously, I do not know, it spreads Russian narratives – said the president about Witkoff Grass.

He was not alone in such an opinion. Especially after a loud interview with Tucker Carlson There were a lot of voices concerned about Witkoff's competences to negotiate with Putin. Lack of experience can mean freshness, but also has its drawbacks. Especially if this lack of reluctance to use the help of experts or their own diplomacy during escapades to Moscow. And the lack of diplomatic support is just one of the problems.

On the recording of the welcome between Witkoff and Putin, you can clearly hear how the special envoy of President Trump asks about an unknown person if he is a translator sent by the embassy. Hears confirmation. However, this was not true. Journalist Christo Grozev he identified it later as Natalia Koszkinaemployee of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was the translation that the Russian Witkoff had to be about her translation.

Perception of the whole issue by Witkoff It could have had a significant impact on Trump's attitude towards Russia and Ukraine. Because the American president initiated these negotiations, taking into account his own goals. Of course, He wanted to fulfill his election promise. Many of his supporters does not like Ukraine itself And he is reluctant to look at the support of Washington to Kiev.

If he had succeeded, perhaps a more real Nobel Prize would become more real, to which the president has been counting for years. But that's not all. Trump's primary goal is to quickly end the conflictswhich could otherwise be asleep, perhaps that by the Americans in another conflict away from their borders.

It will be easier to justify the possible reduction of the US military presence in Europe if there is peace again. Trump also counts on the chance of a new relationship with Russia – common interests in the future and perhaps attempts to remove Russia from Chin.

W Trump optics Russia is a strong stateone that should be reckoned with the international arena. On the contrary, Ukraine, which, as he told Zelnski in the oval office, “There are no cards”.

That is why we observed in the first weeks of his presidency Washington's pressure on Kyiv while attempting to host Russia. Trump's team offered Putin a number of concessions (like a declaration that Ukraine will never enter NATO). The Americans clearly hoped that Putin would recognize them with good will and in exchange would offer his own concessions. However, nothing like that happened.

Russia has adopted Trump's giftsbut she did not repay the same coin. Putin decided to play on timehoping that the discrepancy between Trump and Zelanski will deepen. On the other hand, Witkoff probably convinced the president that a settlement is possible, you just need to listen to Russian reservations.