Here's what we are reading today:
In an interview, Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Trump's Middle East envoy, said he 'liked' #Putin and did not think he was a 'bad guy.'
Witkoff is key in #Trump's efforts to mediate negotiations between #Ukraine and #Russia.
newsweek.com/steve-witkoff-ukr…
Steve Witkoff Says Putin Not a 'Bad Guy', Stumbles on Ukraine Geography
"I don't regard Putin as a bad guy," the Middle East special envoy told former Fox News journalist Tucker Carlson.Ellie Cook (Newsweek)
Tim Mak
Als Antwort auf Tim Mak • • •#China considers joining a peacekeeping mission to enforce a #ceasefire in #Ukraine, German newspaper Welt reported.
Welt also reported that China is asking EU partners if they would support their involvement. Some security experts warn against this, citing China's ties to #Russia.
kyivpost.com/post/49416
Tim Mak
Als Antwort auf Tim Mak • • •UK PM #Starmer said that after the Oval Office clash, the U.S. pressured him to criticize Zelenskyy and "come out...with, you know, flowery adjectives to describe how others felt".
Instead, the #UK leader called both sides to get back on the same page.
kyivindependent.com/starmer-sa…
Starmer says he faced pressure from US to criticize Zelensky after Oval Office clash with Trump, NYT reports
The Kyiv Independent news desk (The Kyiv Independent)