Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff (C) and Jared Kushner (L) in the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, September 5, 2026

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EA on WION: Putin Tries To Manipulate Trump’s Envoys Witkoff and Kushner

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I joined Frontline’s Philip Ingram on Tuesday for a 32-minute analysis of the visit of Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv, amid Russia’s 54 1/2-month full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

I focus on the folly of the envoys, mocked by the Russian media for “Diplomacy of the Doomed”, being taken in by Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. I noted that Putin, hoping to break Ukraine this winter, is not giving up his maximalist demands for Kyiv’s surrender.

It is in this context — and that of Putin wanted by the International Criminal Court — that I take apart Witkoff’s praise of the Russian leader for “one of the most incredible memories” of his life.

I consider whether other Americans worked behind the scenes in Kyiv, during the envoys’ meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, to support Ukrainian security. And I note the significant role of European officials being in the capital as well.

I reiterate that there will likely be no talks until 2027, as Putin makes possibly “his last roll of the dice” with this winter’s attacks.