‘You are a humanitarian also, sir’: the US feeds Putin with lies as Ukraine’s children take cover and die | Andrew Roth
An analysis piece criticizes the Trump administration's diplomatic strategy toward Russia, focusing on US envoy Steve Witkoff's flattering remarks to Vladimir Putin during negotiations over Ukraine. The author contrasts these diplomatic niceties with the ongoing human toll of the war and Putin's historical record.
Why it matters
Highlights the controversial diplomatic tactics used by US officials in international conflict resolution and the geopolitical implications for Ukraine.
Students and teachers in the hallway at an underground school in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Students and teachers in the hallway at an underground school in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Ukraine Analysis ‘You are a humanitarian also, sir’: the US feeds Putin with lies as Ukraine’s children take cover and die Andrew Roth in Kharkiv Steve Witkoff’s flattery of the Russian leader could be just the start of a mendacious stratagem from a US president who says Moscow ‘has been fine on Ukraine’
They say the first casualty of war is truth. For the Trump administration , the road to peace with Russia now encompasses some extraordinary lies.
Steve Witkoff delivered one as he sat down with Vladimir Putin in his native St Petersburg on Wednesday, aiming to close the deal on Russia’s land grab in Ukraine with the White House’s strategy of maximum pressure on Kyiv and saccharine flattery of the Kremlin.
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