Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon confronted US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Kyiv on Sept. 6, asking whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was deceiving US President Donald Trump and accusing Witkoff of sitting down with a “war criminal.” Gordon posed the question during a press briefing following talks between Ukrainian officials and Trump’s envoys, which included Witkoff and Jared Kushner.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “You have met with President Putin very often. Does it seem to you that Putin has been deceiving you all this time?” Gordon asked. “And finally, don’t you find it disgusting to sit at the same table with an international war criminal, the executioner of the Ukrainian people, who is personally responsible for the tragedy in Ukraine?” he added. Witkoff, who has met Putin repeatedly during US efforts to broker an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine, defended maintaining direct contact with Moscow. “Relationships are very important in resolving a conflict like this,” Witkoff said, arguing that poor communication with either side would make a peaceful settlement less likely. According to Witkoff, he has traveled to Moscow about eight times and met with Putin and members of his team. “We have always received respect from President Putin,” he said. Witkoff said the US delegation’s meetings with Putin were intended to help Washington better understand Moscow’s position and inform discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.