In a striking critique that could reverberate through diplomatic circles, Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, dismissed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s peacekeeping proposal for Ukraine, branding it as "a posture and a pose." Witkoff, who has been at the forefront of U.S. ceasefire negotiations, made these comments during an interview with pro-Trump journalist Tucker Carlson on March 23, 2025.
Starmer’s initiative, which he has dubbed a “coalition of the willing,” aims to establish an international force to foster a ceasefire and enhance security guarantees for Ukraine. He claimed more than 30 countries have signed on to this effort. However, Starmer highlighted that any deployment would require a solid security guarantee from the United States, an assurance that has yet to be granted by the current administration.
Witkoff critiqued the plan as "simplistic," arguing that it reflects a misguided attempt by European leaders to emulate the wartime resolve of Winston Churchill. "There is this sort of notion that we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. Russians are going to march across Europe. That is preposterous, by the way. We have something called NATO that we did not have in World War Two," Witkoff asserted during the interview.
This dismissal of Starmer’s ambitions comes at a sensitive time as Witkoff leads negotiations for a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. He hinted that a temporary truce could be imminent, claiming the world is "not far away" from achieving a cessation of hostilities, starting with a de-escalation in the Black Sea region.
In his comments, Witkoff also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing him as "super smart" and "gracious." He recounted a recent meeting with Putin, noting that during their encounter, the Russian leader had been "straight up" with him. Revelations from this meeting included that Putin had even commissioned a portrait of Trump as a gift, an action Witkoff claimed Trump appreciated.
However, Witkoff's comments raised eyebrows when he reiterated several pro-Russian viewpoints about the legitimacy of Ukraine as a sovereign nation, characterizing it as a "false country." This notion, which echoes long-standing Kremlin narratives, presents significant challenges for international perceptions of the ongoing conflict. Witkoff struggled to name all five regions of Ukraine that Russia has annexed or partially occupied, only citing four: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, while failing to mention Crimea specifically.
This lapse underscores the complexities of the ongoing negotiations and the sensitive territorial issues at stake. The five regions claimed by Russia—Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea—are set to be contentious points in any discussions surrounding a potential agreement.
In the wake of Witkoff’s comments, Starmer faces mounting pressure as he attempts to align international partners behind a coherent strategy for Ukraine. Among his supporters is Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has maintained that the UK is committed to seeing "a just and lasting peace" emerge from the region. She remarked that the impact of Starmer’s diplomatic efforts has been tangible, highlighting the ongoing dialogues with leaders worldwide.
As ceasefire talks evolve, Witkoff’s unusually warm rhetoric towards Russia and critiques of Starmer’s strategies present both challenges and uncertainties. While asserting that a ceasefire might soon be underway, Witkoff’s perspectives raise questions about U.S. support for Ukraine and the intricate balancing act required among NATO allies.
Moving forward, the fate of Starmer’s peace plan and the broader security dynamics in Ukraine will likely hinge on how effectively Western leaders can navigate these delicate negotiations against a backdrop of contrasting narratives and vested interests. With Witkoff's views gaining traction within certain political spheres, the implications for international diplomacy surrounding the conflict could be profound.
