U.S. Vice President JD Vance has come to the defense of President Donald Trump’s foreign envoy, Steve Witkoff, following widespread criticism over his recent remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a post on his official X account on Monday, Vance dismissed the backlash against Witkoff, arguing that critics were upset because he was achieving diplomatic success where others had failed for decades.
“Steve Witkoff is a great guy doing an incredible job. The people sniping at him are mad that he is succeeding where they failed for 40 years,” Vance wrote. “Turns out a lot of diplomacy boils down to a simple skill: don’t be an idiot.”
Witkoff recently faced intense scrutiny after he publicly praised Putin following a meeting in Moscow. During an interview with right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson, Witkoff stated that he did not see Putin as a “bad guy” and described him as a “great” leader committed to ending Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.
His remarks sparked outrage, particularly among opposition figures, who argue that Putin should be held accountable for the loss of innocent lives in the conflict. The controversy intensified after Witkoff revealed that Putin had told him he had prayed for his “friend,” President Trump, following the assassination attempt on the former U.S. leader.
The diplomatic fallout has further deepened divisions in Washington, with critics accusing Witkoff of being too sympathetic to the Russian president. However, Vance’s strong endorsement underscores the Trump administration’s confidence in its envoy’s approach to international relations.
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