CIA Director John Ratcliffe is preparing to play a larger role in negotiations between the US, Russia, and Ukraine.
Modern.az reports, citing the Financial Times, that the Donald Trump administration is considering reducing the involvement of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the process.
However, Trump has not yet made a final decision, and Witkoff may continue his participation in the negotiation process alongside Ratcliffe.
Potential changes come at a time when US diplomacy has reached a stalemate. Recent visits by Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv have also not led to new initiatives. One of the main reasons for this is cited as Russian President Vladimir Putin's lack of serious interest in softening his demands.
One source stated that “this problem cannot be solved with individual visits alone.” According to him, a systematic and sustained diplomatic effort is needed to resolve the conflict.
Several European capitals welcome Ratcliffe's more active role in the process. This is because they are dissatisfied with Witkoff's unconventional approach.
Ukraine has also announced its readiness to cooperate, regardless of who participates in the negotiations.
“We are fine with [Ratcliffe], and with Jared and Steve. The problem is with the Russians,” Kyiv stated.
The Ukrainian side believes that Witkoff has not put enough pressure on Putin. Moscow, in turn, partially blamed Witkoff for the inconclusive outcome of the Alaska meeting.
Meanwhile, Jared Kushner has told those close to him that he wants to focus on Gaza and the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, instead of the Ukraine issue.
