WSJ: Who and why leaked the Witkoff–Ushakov–Dmitriev conversations? The target could have been a Russian official.
Diplomats around the world are trying to understand how the interception took place and who might have the greatest interest in leaking the phone conversation between high-ranking Russian and American officials. Who has the necessary technology to intercept a mobile discussion between high-ranking officials from Russia and the USA? And who could benefit the most from such a leak?
▪️ Was it perhaps a European intelligence agency trying to sabotage a possible agreement favorable to Russia? This theory was immediately formulated by Russian officials.
▪️ Or maybe even the Russians – a faction within the Russian government or oligarchy, interested in prolonging the war? Theory launched by some European officials.
▪️ Or was it about a “rogue officer” from an American government agency, worried that President Trump might pressure Ukraine to accept an agreement convenient to Russia?
A White House official told WSJ that, in his opinion, the conversation was intercepted by a foreign intelligence agency and that the real target was not Witkoff, but Ushakov, also present in a second discussion, with Dmitriev. A European security official stated that dozens of countries have the necessary technology to intercept Ushakov’s conversations, as the Russian official was using an unsecured mobile line.
Thus, a European country is considered the main suspect, although the Russian Federation cannot be excluded either, considering the internal disagreements regarding Dmitriev’s role as an unofficial negotiator of the Kremlin.
The Guardian also analyzed who might have leaked the conversation between Witkoff and Ushakov to the press
The British publication notes that the source of the recording was either directly involved in information gathering, or held a high enough position to have access to the original file.
Although the Russian secret services have experience in intercepting and publishing sensitive political conversations, they do not seem to have an obvious reason to make public details about Ushakov or Witkoff, the latter being considered one of the most pro-Russian members of the American administration.
However, considering the possible internal fracture within the Kremlin regarding relations with the USA, this version cannot be completely excluded either.
Ukraine would have had a clear motive for publishing the conversation, being extremely worried about the role played by Witkoff in negotiations. It could have sought to undermine his credibility and expose the “shocking extent” of his collaboration with Russia. However, such a move would have involved the risk of a catastrophic conflict with the USA, which would have made Ukrainian officials think twice.
Moreover, the possibility that the Ukrainian services might have tracked a WhatsApp call outside their territory would be, according to the publication, a remarkable technical achievement.
A former American intelligence officer stated that the conversation was most likely intercepted by the USA – either by the CIA or the NSA. Within these agencies, there are people dissatisfied with Washington’s policy towards Russia and Ukraine. However, leaking such a recording would be an extremely risky move, even for a rebellious official.
Another former employee of the services suggested that it could be a European agency, frustrated by Witkoff’s overly friendly position towards Moscow.