Kathrine Frich
Witkoff made at least eight visits to the Russian capital while traveling to Kyiv just once.
High-stakes peace talks usually demand careful balance and equal respect for all sides involved.
But when diplomatic efforts begin to look one-sided, observers quickly voice concern.
A veteran military commander has now offered a biting critique of recent American efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Flawed approach
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British colonel who commanded armored units during the 1991 Gulf War, offered a harsh assessment of Washington’s diplomatic team. Writing in the Telegraph, the veteran soldier did not hold back about recent meetings held in Moscow.
He stated that “the circus show by Trump ‘s emissaries , Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in Moscow is a disgrace.” He pointed out what he viewed as a glaring imbalance in their overall travel itinerary.
Witkoff made at least eight visits to the Russian capital while traveling to Kyiv just once. The colonel noted that this is hardly a balanced way to mediate a conflict where one nation invaded another.
Their reception in both capitals also differed sharply. The envoys shared warm smiles and praise in Moscow, while their meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv appeared awkward and uncomfortable.
Time for Europe
The physical journey highlighted the ongoing danger on the ground. The American team flew straight into Moscow on Air Force Two, but safety concerns forced them to take a train from Poland to reach Kyiv.
Meanwhile, battlefield reality remains harsh for ordinary citizens. Russia continues to target Ukrainian energy grids and civilian areas, mirroring tactics previously used in Syria to break public morale.
Still, the former colonel emphasized that Russia is facing severe economic strain and growing vulnerabilities to Ukrainian drone strikes inside its own borders. He argued that European nations must step up with real military hardware if American promises turn out to be empty talk.
He stressed that Ukraine needs interceptors, drones, and air defense systems to survive the coming winter. Providing this concrete support remains the only real foundation on which a lasting peace can be built.
Sources: The Telegraph, Ziare.com
