Steve Witkoff: Meet the Real Estate Mogul Charged with Negotiating Peace in Ukraine | US News

As the international community anticipates Russia’s next action regarding the US-proposed ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, one individual has been entrusted to lead Donald Trump’s envoy to Moscow – and he does not fit the mold of a typical diplomat.

Originally designated as Mr. Trump’s Middle East envoy shortly after the US elections, Steve Witkoff has recently taken part in dialogues with Russia aimed at concluding the war in Ukraine.

His unexpected visit to Moscow last month, focused on achieving the release of US citizen Marc Fogel, appears to have solidified the 67-year-old’s reputation as the primary geopolitical negotiator for the US leader.

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Following his initial meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr. Witkoff is expected to meet with him again later this week to discuss diplomatic proposals, although the Kremlin has yet to confirm this.

Mr. Trump chose him for this Moscow mission over US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, technically, holds the position of top diplomat, and Keith Kellogg, who was appointed as the US envoy for the Russia-Ukraine peace talks earlier this year.

So, who exactly is Steve Witkoff, and what role will he play in America’s quest for peace between Russia and Ukraine?

From New York real estate to the Oval Office

Hailing from the Bronx, New York, Mr. Witkoff initially trained as a lawyer specializing in real estate before transitioning to property development.

In the 1990s, he established his company, the Witkoff Group, which owns several high-profile properties in New York, including the Park Lane Hotel and The Woolworth Building.

Much like Mr. Trump, he involved family members in his business, including his wife, Lauren Rappoport, and their sons Zach and Alexander, who serves as co-chief executive.

By 2019, the Witkoff Group had acquired nearly 50 properties throughout the US and globally.

‘My dear friend President Trump’

The billionaire has had a long-standing relationship with Mr. Trump, having first been introduced through a New York real estate firm where the future president was a client.

The two have remained close friends, bonding over their shared passion for golf, and have been described by US Senator Lindsey Graham as “longtime golf buddies.”

Mr. Witkoff was with the president on the fifth hole of his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September of last year during a second apparent assassination attempt on Mr. Trump’s life.

Although they are often adversaries on the golf course, Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Trump share similar political viewpoints, with Mr. Witkoff having contributed to the Republican Party during the 2024 election cycle.

He even addressed the Republican National Convention last July, expressing his “privilege” in calling Mr. Trump a “true and dear friend through both good times and bad.”

Mr. Witkoff has openly supported Mr. Trump’s foreign policy initiatives, stating at the inauguration parade: “We are done carrying the financial burden of nations that are unwilling to fund their own progress. The days of blank checks are over.”

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A key figure in Middle East negotiations

During Mr. Trump’s initial term, Mr. Witkoff’s role was more subdued, participating as a member of the president’s Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups to address the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was during a lunch with Mr. Trump, following his second electoral victory, that Mr. Witkoff reportedly introduced the idea of engaging in Middle Eastern affairs, a region where he has significant business connections, according to NBC.

“That surprised me because I didn’t know he was interested in the Middle East,” Senator Graham remarked to NBC in January while discussing Mr. Witkoff’s appointment.

“And Trump looked at me and said: ‘Well, a million people have tried. Let’s choose a nice, smart guy.’

Since the start of this year, Mr. Witkoff has emerged as a pivotal player in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, contributing to the ceasefire agreement in January that resulted in the release of some Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

One insider involved in the negotiations described Mr. Witkoff to NBC as “very much engaged” and noted that “his heart is in the right place.”

A Middle Eastern diplomat, who spoke with NBC under the condition of anonymity, further emphasized that the businessman is a tough negotiator while also being capable of “empathy” with parents who have lost children on both sides, often referencing his own son Andrew, who tragically died of an OxyContin overdose in 2011 at the age of 22.

Increasing criticism

Despite the accolades for Mr. Witkoff’s diplomatic style, there is a growing chorus of criticism surrounding him.

Immediately following his visit to Gaza earlier this January, he lent his support to Mr. Trump’s unexpected announcement that the US aimed to “develop” the region into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Mr. Trump suggested that the two million people in Gaza would be prevented from returning home under these plans, which have faced extensive backlash, many considering them tantamount to ethnic cleansing.

Mr. Witkoff also faces scrutiny over his initial private meeting with President Putin last month, during which he claimed to have developed a “friendship” with the Russian leader.

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Reflecting on his rapport with Mr. Putin, he stated: “I spent considerable time with Putin, discussing and fostering a friendship with him…”

He mentioned that their conversation lasted over three hours.

Nonetheless, the specifics of their discussion remain undisclosed, with only translators present during the meeting.