Camilla Jessen
Steve Witkoff’s meetings with Vladimir Putin have sparked concern after reports revealed he used only Russian-provided interpreters.
Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, has reportedly relied exclusively on Kremlin translators during his recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to NBC News, the meetings took place without the presence of a U.S. interpreter—an unusual break from standard diplomatic practice.
Witkoff, a real estate developer and Trump confidant with no fluency in Russian, met with Putin most recently on April 26, just a day after a major Russian rocket attack killed 12 civilians in Kyiv.
The meeting occurred as efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine continue to stall.
Security and Clarity at Risk
According to reporters, relying solely on Russian-provided interpreters in high-stakes talks raises concerns over the security, accuracy, and intent of translated content.
As one Western official told NBC News, “If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn’t know what they’re saying.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul was blunt in his assessment, calling the choice “a very bad idea.”
In an email to NBC News, McFaul said, “I speak Russian and I’ve listened to both Kremlin and American interpreters in the same meeting, and the language is never the same.”
Witkoff under Scrutiny
The use of Kremlin interpreters isn’t the only point of concern.
According to the New York Post, Witkoff’s overall approach to his role has triggered unease within the White House, with at least one official reportedly describing him as “a nice guy, but an idiot.”
Despite the backlash, the White House is maintaining that Witkoff is adhering to official guidelines.
In a statement to NBC News, Anna Kelly, deputy White House press secretary, said that Witkoff “is following all security protocols in coordination with the State Department.”