NBC reports private rivalry between Rubio and envoy Witkoff over Ukraine

NBC News has reported that there is a behind-the-scenes rivalry between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff over advancing "peace talks" on Ukraine.

Source: NBC News, citing more than a dozen current and former US and European officials, as reported by European Pravda

Details: NBC News has listed several previously unknown instances in which Witkoff arranged international meetings on ending the war in Ukraine without Rubio's knowledge.

In April 2025, the secretary of state was due to fly to Paris for talks on Ukraine when he accidentally learned that Witkoff had arranged a one-on-one meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Rubio asked to join the meeting, but the French Foreign Ministry said the change would have to be approved personally by Witkoff. Rubio eventually contacted him directly and joined the conversation.

In late November, a few days after the talks in Geneva, Witkoff arranged a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Florida.

According to two NBC News sources, Rubio only learned about the planned meeting when the Ukrainians asked his representatives about it.

"It is so clear that Rubio has been cut out of this. He should be the guy leading all of this," a senior Trump administration official said.

Beyond their differences on peace efforts on Ukraine, Witkoff has also clashed with Rubio and State Department officials over his approach to security, particularly on his trips to Russia.

According to three US officials, some in the Trump administration have questioned the appropriateness of Witkoff using his private jet to fly to Moscow, especially given the lack of secure communications.

NBC News said the State Department initiated a review in May, after which Witkoff was provided with additional security and a secure mobile communications system for use on his plane.

Quote: "But there are still concerns that Witkoff is not consistently using the secure government communications system, according to a US official and a source with knowledge."

Background:

• Publicly, the White House, as well as Rubio and Witkoff themselves, maintain that the special envoy and the secretary of state are working together on efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine.
• In November, Rubio denied media reports claiming that the Trump administration is split into "two camps" over how to end Russia's war against Ukraine, calling them "fake news".

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