When US President Donald Trump sought to initiate negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week to explore a potential deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, he did not rely on his secretary of state.
Instead, Trump dispatched his long-time friend, golfing companion, and billionaire property developer Steve Witkoff to Moscow—an unconventional choice given Witkoff’s complete lack of diplomatic credentials.
Though officially appointed as Trump’s Middle East envoy, the Bronx-born businessman found himself navigating complex discussions regarding an Eastern European conflict. According to Trump, Witkoff spent “a very extended period, like about three hours,” in conversation with Putin.
Witkoff’s visit to Moscow facilitated a prisoner swap between the US and Russia, which many viewed as a possible step towards improving diplomatic relations between the two nations. Additionally, he played a role in brokering the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, an achievement for which both Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden have claimed credit.
Although not yet formally in his role, Witkoff travelled to Tel Aviv to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before negotiations took place in Qatar. He later joined discussions in Doha alongside Biden’s envoy Brett McGurk, who described their collaboration as a “very close partnership, even friendship,” according to the Washington Post.
Now, Witkoff is returning to the Middle East—this time to Saudi Arabia—for what will be the first US-Russia face-to-face talks over the war in Ukraine. Trump himself had a recent call with Putin, and the meeting will also include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
However, the Trump administration’s bold diplomatic manoeuvres are raising concerns among Western allies, who fear a shift in the global order that may leave key players out of the conversation. Ukraine and other European nations were notably excluded from the Saudi discussions.
Who is Steve Witkoff?
Dubbed “the man in the room” by US media, Witkoff has found himself at the centre of some of the world’s most consequential diplomatic negotiations despite his background in real estate rather than international affairs.
Trump announced Witkoff’s appointment shortly after his election victory, writing: “Steve will be an unrelenting voice for PEACE, and make us all proud.”
A White House official told Axios that “the president sees Steve as one of the world’s great dealmakers.” According to an associate, Witkoff’s preferred approach to negotiations involves charm, but he is also capable of applying pressure when necessary.
The 67-year-old was raised in Long Island, New York, and made his fortune navigating the highly competitive property markets of New York and Florida. A longstanding Republican donor, he has known Trump for decades.
Speaking at last year’s Republican National Convention, Witkoff described Trump as his “true and dear friend… in good times and bad times.”
Beyond business, the two share a passion for golf. US Senator Lindsey Graham told NBC News that Witkoff was a regular golfing partner of Trump’s. “Steve and I would be the two guys who would play Trump and somebody else, and lose,” Graham joked.
It was during one such golfing session in Florida last September that the Secret Service thwarted another alleged assassination attempt against Trump. The former president later recounted that he and Witkoff were rushed into golf carts as security personnel confronted a suspect hiding in nearby bushes.
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From property deals to peace talks
According to Graham, Witkoff first raised his desire to become Middle East envoy over a casual lunch with Trump. “That stunned me because I didn’t know he was interested in the Mideast,” Graham admitted.
Now, Witkoff’s role appears to be expanding beyond the Middle East. Sources told the Financial Times that he has been tasked with spearheading nuclear negotiations with Iran as part of a broader effort to “stop the wars” in the region.
His deal-making abilities were also evident during Trump’s 2024 campaign. He reportedly played a key role in easing tensions between Trump and his defeated Republican primary rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Additionally, he met with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in an effort to mend relations after Kemp refused to support Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud in 2020.
Outside politics, Witkoff is the chairman of the University of Miami’s business school real estate advisory board and previously served on the board of trustees for the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, an appointment made during Trump’s first term.
As Witkoff embarks on another round of high-stakes negotiations, the world watches to see whether the former property magnate can broker peace in the Middle East and Eastern Europe—or if Trump’s unconventional diplomatic strategy will yield unintended consequences.
