Americas
Zelensky Accuses US Envoy Witkoff of Spreading ‘Russian Narratives’

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused US special envoy Steve Witkoff of “disseminating Russian narratives” after he appeared to suggest that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine hinged on the status of five Ukrainian regions.
After holding a five-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Witkoff told Fox News that a deal to end the war was “about these so-called five territories”.
“I think that Mr Witkoff has taken the strategy of the Russian side,” Zelensky told a Kyiv press conference on Thursday.
“I think it’s really dangerous, because consciously or unconsciously he is disseminating Russian narratives”.
Witkoff appeared to be referring to the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in eastern Ukraine, much of which are under Russian military occupation after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion in 2022 with the aim of taking control of the whole country.
The fifth region is believed to be Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 in a move not recognised internationally.
“The territories are ours, they belong to our people and not only us but the future Ukrainian people… So I don’t understand what he’s talking about,” said Zelensky.
In his interview with Fox News, Witkoff said: “This peace deal is about these so-called five territories. But there’s so much more to it… I think we might be on the verge of something that would be very important for the world at large.”
“On top of that, I believe there’s a possibility to reshape the Russian-United States relationship through some very compelling commercial opportunities that I think give real stability to the region too,” he added.
The US and Russia have been holding talks aimed at restoring diplomatic relations.
Zelensky’s intervention is not the first time he has criticised Witkoff.
In March, he said: “He doesn’t look like a military man. He doesn’t look like a general, and he doesn’t have such experience. As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate. And this is a little different.”
The Ukrainian leader’s comments came after top US, Ukrainian and European diplomats met in Paris to discuss the war – a group that included Witkoff and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Meanwhile Donald Trump renewed his own criticisms of Zelensky on Thursday. He appeared to row back on earlier comments accusing the Ukrainian leader of starting the war but said he was “not a big fan”.
“I don’t hold Zelensky responsible but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started,” Trump said.
“I’m not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job, OK? I am not a big fan.”
Zelensky also told journalists that he had “information” China was supplying weapons to Russia.
“We have finally received information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation,” he said.
“We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on Russian territory,” he added.
China has not yet responded but has previously portrayed itself as a neutral party in the war.
Beijing did respond to an assertion last week by Zelensky that Chinese nationals were fighting for Russia by advising “relevant parties to correctly and soberly understand China’s role and not to make irresponsible remarks”.
(BBC)
Kenya Insights allows guest blogging, if you want to be published on Kenya’s most authoritative and accurate blog, have an expose, news TIPS, story angles, human interest stories, drop us an email on [email protected] or via Telegram
-
News3 days ago
Plane Carrying Raila Odinga Becomes World’s Most Tracked Flight as Kenya Airways Honors Him With Special Call Sign ‘RAO001’
-
News1 week ago
Former Nairobi CEC Newton Munene Found Dead as Sonko Alleges Cartel Involvement
-
Investigations2 weeks ago
Financial Watchdog Flags Sh600 Million Sham SHA Payments
-
News3 days ago
I Used To Sleep Hungry, But Today I Employ The Same People Who Once Laughed At My Poverty
-
Grapevine2 weeks ago
Robert Burale’s Ex-Wife Spills All The Tea – “I Found Gay Porn on His Laptop, Another Woman Paid For Our Honeymoon!
-
Investigations3 days ago
Kwale Sugar Faces Liquidation Guillotine as Supreme Court Slams Door on Last-Ditch Rescue Bid
-
News5 days ago
Inside 17 Minutes: CCTV Footage Reveals Murdered State House Guard Was Well Known to The Killer
-
News2 weeks ago
CASH FOR LICENSE: NTSA Director Under Fire As Infighting Exposes Extortion Racket in Driving Schools