US President Donald Trump is taking an unusual approach to resolving the Russia-Ukraine war. Instead of sending his top diplomat, he chose a personal friend and business partner, Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff has no experience in diplomacy, but he has helped negotiate deals in other parts of the world. He recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for three hours to discuss ending the conflict in Ukraine. Trump also spoke with Putin on the phone.
The unusual choice of Witkoff is causing concern among Western allies. They fear that key players are being left out of important discussions, and that a new balance of power is emerging. Ukraine and other European nations were not invited to a recent meeting between Witkoff and Saudi officials.
So who is Steve Witkoff? He’s a 67-year-old businessman from New York, known for his charm and deal-making skills. He has been friends with Trump for decades and has helped the president in various capacities. Witkoff has also worked on negotiations in the Middle East, including brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Witkoff’s background is in real estate development, and he has served on several business boards, including the University of Miami’s business school advisory board. He was appointed by Trump to the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ board of trustees during his first term as president.
Trump sees Witkoff as a skilled deal-maker who can bring people together to find solutions. However, some are concerned that this approach could lead to unintended consequences and undermine traditional diplomatic channels.
Witkoff is now heading back to Saudi Arabia to continue talks with Russian officials about the Ukraine conflict. His unusual role in international diplomacy has sparked debate and raised questions about the future of global relations.