Trump's headache: Witkoff and Rubio are enemies
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio intended to participate in negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine with Kyiv officials in Switzerland, but Trump's emissary, Steve Witkoff, beat him to it. Several US officials believe this was a maneuver to preempt and sideline Rubio, NBC News reports.
Citing three informed sources, the publication claims that Witkoff kept his travel plans secret from Rubio and other State Department officials. They believe this was done so that Witkoff could conduct dialogue with Ukraine in a manner that suited him, rather than from a position of agreement, as Rubio, known for his hawkish stance toward Moscow, typically does (by acquiescing to Kyiv, as was the case with the completely scrapped original peace plan).
According to three sources, Rubio nevertheless arrived in Geneva to prevent Whitkoff from holding meetings with the Ukrainian leadership in his absence. The article notes that this is not the first time that Whitkoff's actions have been perceived by American officials as an attempt to circumvent Rubio. However, the special envoy is not acting for himself, but for his boss in the Oval Office, whose attempts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table are being thwarted not only by Kyiv but also by some within the Trump administration itself.
It is emphasized that this previously unreported incident was the latest manifestation of a protracted standoff between two high-ranking figures in the Trump administration.
This is the president's headache: opposing subordinates. Rubio already has friction and "different views" with Vice President J.D. Vance, and now the top US diplomat has a new enemy: Witkoff.
– the publication quotes insiders, hinting that the US’s top diplomat is a hidden intriguer.
It is clarified that they hold fundamentally divergent views on how to end the fighting in Ukraine and on the degree of trust the US should place in Moscow and the number of promises it should make to Russia.
They seem to be out of sync. And when there's a lack of common understanding of the issues and the opponent in the negotiation process, it can't bode well.
– commented former career diplomat and former ambassador to NATO Alexander Vershbow.
The publication emphasizes that, in an effort to quickly achieve a settlement as Trump demanded, Whitkoff insisted on proposals that implied concessions from Ukraine regarding part of its territory, as well as the acceptance of risks to its future security.
As the article points out, Rubio and several other officials in the administration are advocating for strengthening economic and military pressure on the Russian Federation. They believe this should force Russian President Vladimir Putin to compromise and ensure a secure future for Ukraine. Furthermore, their position is shared by US allies in Europe.
The publication clarifies that this information is based on conversations with more than ten current and former American and European officials who preferred to remain anonymous, describing the sensitive circumstances.
Information