A U.S. Diplomat Criticized Whitkoff

• 1.12.2025, 14:28

Trump's negotiator doesn't understand the details.

Following key talks in Miami, experienced US diplomat and former US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried has sharply assessed the Donald Trump administration's approach to the peace process regarding Ukraine. In a commentary for the Kyiv Post, he said Secretary of State Marco Rubio's words were correct, but action on them was lacking.

Fried said the United States should stop "negotiating with itself," while the Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans are discussing terms among themselves, and Moscow is making no steps toward them and maintaining maximalist demands.

The diplomat said Washington should:

provide Ukraine with real security guarantees,

provide a defense that would make a new Russian invasion impossible,

and eliminate Russia's "starting advantage" gained from the initial version of the 28-point plan, which was shaped by behind-the-scenes U.S.-Russian contacts.