Witkoff to Meet Putin for Sixth Time Amidst Ukraine War, Drawing Scrutiny

White House envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Russia next week for his sixth meeting with President Vladimir Putin, a move that comes despite his lack of travel to Ukraine this year. The upcoming meeting has intensified scrutiny over Witkoff's role and the US administration's approach to the ongoing conflict. Chris Fralic highlighted the situation in a recent tweet, stating, > "Witkoff, who hasn’t traveled to Ukraine this year, is set to visit Russia for the sixth time next week and will again meet Putin. He insisted he isn’t playing favorites."

This consistent engagement with the Kremlin, contrasted with no reported visits to Kyiv, raises questions about the envoy's stated neutrality. The New York Times reported on November 26, 2025, that a leaked conversation involving Witkoff suggested he was "appearing to coach the Kremlin on how to negotiate with Mr. Trump and undermine an upcoming visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine." This revelation further complicates the perception of his diplomatic efforts.

Witkoff's repeated trips to Russia are seen by some as reflecting President Trump's "stubborn determination to make some kind of deal with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, even if it is mostly on Russia’s terms," according to the New York Times. This strategy has reportedly caused "satisfaction in Russia," as it is viewed as a means to sow discord within the Western alliance and foster anti-American sentiment in Ukraine.

The envoy's actions have ignited a "fierce debate in Washington," with supporters arguing that direct dialogue with President Putin remains the only viable path to de-escalate Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. Critics, however, express concern that such frequent, one-sided engagement risks legitimizing Russia's position and undermining international support for Ukraine. The upcoming meeting is expected to be closely watched for any indications of a shift in diplomatic efforts or US policy.