White House claims ‘foreign influence’ behind Politico criticism of US envoy
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German-owned US news outlet Politico criticised the efforts of Mr Steve Witkoff in negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
PHOTO: AFP
- White House accuses Politico, owned by German Axel Springer, of a "foreign influence operation" after criticism of Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff.
- Vice-President Vance and other officials attacked Politico's article quoting unnamed sources who questioned Witkoff's inexperience in Ukraine negotiations.
- Trump appointed property tycoon Steve Witkoff as special envoy for Ukraine and Gaza peace talks, despite his lack of diplomatic background.
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WASHINGTON - The White House lashed out Aug 29 over what it called a “foreign influence operation” by German-owned US news outlet Politico after it criticised the efforts of President Donald Trump’s envoy, Mr Steve Witkoff, in Ukraine negotiations.
Vice-President J.D. Vance slammed Politico, bought in 2021 by German media giant Axel Springer, over an article that quoted unnamed officials as saying Mr Witkoff’s “inexperience shines through” in his talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
“This story from Politico is journalistic malpractice. But it’s more than that: it’s a foreign influence operation meant to hurt the administration and one of our most effective members,” Mr Vance said on X.
A string of other White House officials made similar attacks, with Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair calling the article a “foreign influence operation run through a German-controlled online media outlet”.
The officials did not offer evidence of any foreign party or government behind the story.
The attacks came as Berlin and France cast doubt on whether Mr Trump’s Ukraine peace efforts would bear fruit, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying the war would last “many more months”.
Mr Witkoff is a property tycoon whom Mr Trump has named as his special envoy for peace talks to end the Ukraine and Gaza wars despite having no diplomatic experience.
The Politico article was one of a series of articles in recent days by several outlets, including The Atlantic, that said Mr Witkoff’s negotiations with Russia have caused confusion.
Mr Witkoff has made a number of trips to Moscow to meet Mr Putin.
He was meeting Ukrainian officials in New York on Aug 29 and said the “statement from our amazing vice-president speaks for itself”. AFP
Mr Witkoff (right) meeting Ukrainian officials Andriy Yermak (centre) and Sergiy Kyslytsya on Aug 29.
PHOTO: AFP
