Bipartisan Backlash Mounts Over Leaked Kremlin Call
A recently leaked conversation between US special envoy to Ukraine Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy assistant Yuri Uhsakov has sparked intense criticism from lawmakers in Washington. The October call revealed that Witkoff suggested offering land concessions, including the occupied Donetsk region, as a means of securing a peace deal in Ukraine.
Witkoff reportedly advised Ushakov to take an approach that would appease President Donald Trump, who has maintained a close relationship with Putin despite his administration's criticism of Russian actions. The conversation also included Witkoff's suggestion that he could secure a "peace deal" by offering concessions, which critics have slammed as a betrayal of American interests.
Republican Representative Don Bacon has called for Witkoff to resign, stating that he "fully favors the Russians" and cannot be trusted to lead US-Ukraine negotiations. Fellow Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick echoed this sentiment, saying that the leaked conversation was "a major problem" that highlights the need for transparency in diplomatic dealings.
Democrat Ted Lieu has taken a more extreme stance, labeling Witkoff an "actual traitor" who should be fired for working on behalf of Russia instead of the United States. The House Foreign Affairs Committee member's statement on social media has sparked widespread outrage among lawmakers and observers.
Despite the backlash, former President Donald Trump has come to Witkoff's defense, calling the conversation a "standard thing" that is typical of diplomatic efforts. However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has dismissed US concerns, stating that there will be no major concessions to Ukraine following the leaked call.
The controversy highlights the deep divisions within Washington over how to approach negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Witkoff's comments have raised questions about his loyalty to American interests and his ability to lead effective diplomacy on behalf of the US government.
A recently leaked conversation between US special envoy to Ukraine Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy assistant Yuri Uhsakov has sparked intense criticism from lawmakers in Washington. The October call revealed that Witkoff suggested offering land concessions, including the occupied Donetsk region, as a means of securing a peace deal in Ukraine.
Witkoff reportedly advised Ushakov to take an approach that would appease President Donald Trump, who has maintained a close relationship with Putin despite his administration's criticism of Russian actions. The conversation also included Witkoff's suggestion that he could secure a "peace deal" by offering concessions, which critics have slammed as a betrayal of American interests.
Republican Representative Don Bacon has called for Witkoff to resign, stating that he "fully favors the Russians" and cannot be trusted to lead US-Ukraine negotiations. Fellow Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick echoed this sentiment, saying that the leaked conversation was "a major problem" that highlights the need for transparency in diplomatic dealings.
Democrat Ted Lieu has taken a more extreme stance, labeling Witkoff an "actual traitor" who should be fired for working on behalf of Russia instead of the United States. The House Foreign Affairs Committee member's statement on social media has sparked widespread outrage among lawmakers and observers.
Despite the backlash, former President Donald Trump has come to Witkoff's defense, calling the conversation a "standard thing" that is typical of diplomatic efforts. However, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has dismissed US concerns, stating that there will be no major concessions to Ukraine following the leaked call.
The controversy highlights the deep divisions within Washington over how to approach negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Witkoff's comments have raised questions about his loyalty to American interests and his ability to lead effective diplomacy on behalf of the US government.
anyway, its not like he offered up our whole country or somethin'. land concessions in donetsk region? thats like, a tiny fraction of the territory russia already controls 
but maybe the point is that witkoff was tryin to appease trump and putrusia without actually compromisin american interests? idk, feels like a diplomatic mess 
this is a mess, but I gotta say, I'm not surprised... 
politicians always trying to appease both sides, it's like they think Russia can be friends with everyone at once 
. Steve Witkoff is just doing his job, but I get why people are upset - it looks like he was playing both sides against each other 
. We need someone who's gonna take a real stance here, not just trying to make deals for the sake of making deals 
. And what's with everyone's outrage? It's just a conversation, folks... 
just kidding, but seriously, it's really concerning that our special envoy to Ukraine was trying to appease Putin and Trump in the first place. I feel bad for Ukraine though, they're already dealing with so much stress and uncertainty... 
right? maybe this whole situation is a wake-up call for us as Americans to re-evaluate our priorities and think more critically about how we approach foreign policy. I mean, it's not like we haven't made mistakes before... let's learn from this and try to do better, you know? 
seriously though, can we stop jumping on Witkoff for a second? it's just a diplomatic conversation. maybe Trump's influence is the real issue here 
what's going on with that guy anyway? 
i mean, the guy gets called a traitor by one of his own reps... that's wild. what's the deal with Republicans and Democrats being so divided on this? can't they just agree on something for once? 
also, isn't it weird that Trump is defending Witkoff? doesn't he know that Russia didn't exactly have a great track record with Ukraine? 
. The Republicans are all upset because they think Witkoff is soft on Russia, while the Democrats are saying he's a traitor? It's just a big mess 
. I no Trump loves Putin but come on, Witkoff gotta do better than that 
. And now Reps are calling 4 his head? LOL, I guess dat's one way 2 get people 2 listen 
. But seriously, this is a huge problem & someone needs 2 take responsibility 
. And what about all dem concessions?? 
. This whole thing is a mess 
& I just dont think Witkoff is trustworthy anymore 
. Like, what's next? Are we gonna start accusing our own ambassadors of being spies too? 
, even trumps is defending him lol what does he know about diplomacy tho? 
It's so sad that they're letting their own egos get in the way of actually doing something good for this country. I mean, come on, we all want peace and stability in Ukraine, but instead of working together, they're fighting like cats and dogs over who's right and who's wrong! 
Can't they just put their differences aside and try to do what's best for the US and its allies? 
and we need more transparency in diplomacy or wut? 
don't even get me started on trump's defense of him - what even is standard diplomatic effort?! 
.
The leaked call revealed that Witkoff was trying to appease Trump's ego and get him on board with the Russian deal 
. Like, what even is this?! 
Here are some key stats about how US lawmakers feel:
this is so crazy that a convo between a us envoy and russia got leaked and now people are all like "what did he do?" 