Witkoff Under Fire for Ukraine Comments in Tucker Carlson Interview
Real estate executive Steve Witkoff has drawn criticism for remarks he made during a recent interview with Tucker Carlson regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Controversial Territorial Claims
During the interview, the former advisor to Donald Trump struggled to identify the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk, territories occupied by Russia after its full-scale invasion.
Witkoff asserted that these regions were predominantly “Russian-speaking” and referenced “referendums” as evidence that the majority of residents desired to be “under Russian rule.” This statement alluded to votes orchestrated by the Kremlin following the military intervention, which have been widely condemned as illegitimate by the international community.
Political Backlash from UK Parliamentarians
British lawmakers swiftly condemned Witkoff’s statements.
Labour MP Neil Coyle stated, “The fact that many people in Florida and Texas speak Spanish does not imply they belong to Spain; such a claim would be absurd and offensive. Ukrainian territory belongs solely to Ukraine.
” Coyle’s analogy underscored the flawed logic of Witkoff’s assertions by highlighting the distinction between language and national sovereignty.
Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Green, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, accused Witkoff of disregarding Ukrainian sovereignty. She commented, “Witkoff seemingly prioritizes echoing Putin’s propaganda over supporting the courageous Ukrainian fighters and civilians.
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Condemnation from Former Officials and Journalists
Former Conservative MP Bob Seely accused Mr. Witkoff of “simply reiterating Kremlin propaganda
” and urged him to “apologize to Ukrainians
.”
Veteran broadcaster and author John Simpson expressed his dismay after reviewing Witkoff’s interview. Simpson stated, “Having reviewed Steve Witkoff’s extensive interview with Tucker Carlson concerning Gaza and Ukraine, areas he reportedly negotiates on, it is concerning. His comprehension of the complexities is limited, and his grasp of detail is alarmingly deficient. Carlson’s understanding appears even more rudimentary, rendering him incapable of providing any meaningful challenge.
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