Steve Witkoff to Putin:
The Europeans were physically in the United Arab Emirates. Even though they were not at the negotiating table, we consulted with them. We were speaking with them, and we gave them updates on everything we…
Assessment
Witkoff's statement reveals a deliberate information asymmetry in the negotiations. The Europeans were present in the UAE but excluded from the table, receiving only updates rather than participation. This frames the US Russia channel as the primary decision making body, with European allies relegated to a consultative role. The key question is whether this exclusion reflects European reluctance to engage directly or a US strategic choice to limit the negotiating circle.