Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday criticised statements by White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who recently praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin and appeared to legitimise Russia's annexation of some Ukrainian regions.

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The comments by Witkoff, in an interview with the right-wing podcast host Tucker Carlson, were seen in Kyiv as another sign of how far some in US President Donald Trump's administration have shifted away from Ukraine toward Russia.

"A lot of the information spread by some people and the person you mentioned... are very much in line with the messages of the Kremlin," Zelensky said, answering a question on the interview given by Witkoff.

Also read: Mole in Ukraine's army: Kyiv Security Service detains soldier accused of 'leaking' intel to Russia

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Trump's envoy said "there's a view within the country of Russia that these are Russian territories".

He cited a series of referendums conducted by Russia in occupied territories that purported to show support for Moscow's rule, but were condemned as illegitimate by Ukraine and much of the international community.

"No one can legitimise these referendums because they were held at gunpoint," Zelensky said, adding that "no one recognises these territories as Russian".

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