US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, whose portfolio has expanded to encompass Ukraine, suggested that the war there wasn’t “necessary” provoked by the Kremlin.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday that Russia should not necessarily be blamed for sparking the war in Ukraine — a position that aligns with President Donald Trump’s recent strikes against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the three-year anniversary of the fighting looms.

"There were all kinds of conversations back then about Ukraine joining NATO. The president has spoken about this. That didn't need to happen. It basically became a threat to the Russians," Steve Witko