1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand that you take immediate action to remove Steve Witkoff from any involvement in Ukraine negotiations. His conduct demonstrates he is either compromised by Russian interests or so incompetent that the distinction no longer matters. Either scenario is unacceptable and poses a direct threat to American national security. In November, Witkoff traveled to Switzerland for peace talks without informing Secretary of State Marco Rubio or any State Department officials. This was not a communication breakdown. This was deliberate shadow diplomacy that serves Russian interests by creating chaos in our policy coordination. Rubio had to rush to Geneva to prevent Witkoff from meeting alone with Ukrainian officials because even our own Secretary of State recognized the danger. When your envoy cannot be trusted to meet with our allies without supervision, he should not be an envoy. Witkoff's behavior follows a pattern consistent with someone advancing Russian objectives. He operates outside established channels, undermines State Department authority, and creates the exact kind of confusion that Moscow exploits. Russia has spent decades perfecting the art of manipulating useful idiots and willing collaborators in Western governments. Witkoff's actions suggest he falls into one of these categories. The decision to appoint a real estate developer with no diplomatic experience to negotiate the end of Europe's largest war since 1945 was reckless from the start. That this appointment came from an administration led by someone who has repeatedly demonstrated poor judgment and susceptibility to flattery from authoritarian leaders makes it even more dangerous. We cannot afford to have our Ukraine policy shaped by people who lack either the intelligence or the integrity to resist Russian manipulation. I am calling on you to publicly demand Witkoff's immediate removal and to support legislation requiring all special envoys to undergo counterintelligence screening and operate under direct State Department supervision. Our allies are watching, and our adversaries are taking notes.