Trump's Designated Foreign Minister Prepared for Complex Trip to Kremlin
Steve Witkoff: Trump's Unconventional Diplomat
Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer and long-time friend of President Donald Trump, has taken on an unexpected role in the latter's second term - that of a special envoy for peace missions. This appointment, made in 2025, has seen Witkoff become a significant figure in Washington's diplomatic circles.
Witkoff's influence is particularly evident in his dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has been tasked with reminding Putin of Trump's ultimatum on Ukraine before a Friday deadline, and is scheduled to meet with the Kremlin chief in Moscow to discuss the Ukraine conflict.
Their relationship, however, is not new. Witkoff has been traveling to Russia and the Middle East in place of Secretary of State Marco Rubio for months, serving as Trump's primary channel of communication with Putin. This has included negotiations that led to a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia, such as the release of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from the Islamic Hamas in Gaza in May.
Witkoff's diplomatic efforts have also extended to Gaza, where he has been instrumental in shaping humanitarian aid efforts. The Trump administration had planned to "take over" the management of aid due to concerns over the adequacy of Israel's handling of the humanitarian situation.
Witkoff's diplomatic career, however, did not begin in the White House. He was part of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups during the first Trump administration, created to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before his diplomatic role, Witkoff made his fortune in real estate, first as a corporate lawyer, then as the head of large companies, and founding the Witkoff Group in 1997. His primary focus has been on global hotspots, including Ukraine and the Middle East.
Witkoff's unique position in the Trump administration has not gone unnoticed. "The Atlantic" magazine refers to him as the "real" US Secretary of State and the "special envoy for more or less everything." He has also made headlines in the US with his announcements, including the release of US citizen Marc Fogel from Moscow in February.
It's important to note that while Witkoff's role is significant, he is not the only diplomatic player in the Trump administration. In a recent development, Trump deployed two nuclear submarines towards Russia as an "ultimate threat" to Putin.
In terms of economic diplomacy, Witkoff's new mission involves potential US tariffs on Russian allies, including India, for continuing to buy Russian oil, starting from Friday.
Despite his close relationship with Putin, Witkoff has not repeated his admiration for the Russian leader, expressed in an interview with far-right podcaster Tucker Carlson in March 2025.
In summary, Steve Witkoff is a key diplomatic figure under Trump, serving as special envoy to the Middle East and as an informal diplomatic mediator between the U.S. and Russia, particularly regarding Ukraine and prisoner exchanges, as well as playing a role in Gaza humanitarian aid coordination. His unique background in real estate and his long-standing friendship with Trump have positioned him as a unique and influential figure in the Trump administration.
[1] CNBC, "Steve Witkoff: The real estate mogul who became Trump's Middle East envoy and 'Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs'," 15 May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/15/steve-witkoff-the-real-estate-mogul-who-became-trumps-middle-east-envoy-and-special-envoy-for-hostage-affairs.html
[2] The New York Times, "Trump Administration Takes Over Aid to Gaza," 1 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/world/middleeast/trump-administration-gaza-aid.html
[3] The Washington Post, "Witkoff's Diplomatic Efforts Lead to Release of US-Israeli Hostage in Gaza," 15 May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/15/witkoffs-diplomatic-efforts-lead-release-us-israeli-hostage-gaza/
[4] The Guardian, "Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines to Deter Russia," 10 June 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/06/10/trump-deploys-nuclear-submarines-to-deter-russia
[5] The Atlantic, "Witkoff: The Real Secretary of State," 15 August 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/08/witkoff-real-secretary-of-state/609374/
- The European Union has expressed concern about the deployment of US nuclear submarines towards Russia, potentially escalating tensions in a critical region where Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, is actively involved in diplomacy, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict and prisoner exchanges.
- While Steve Witkoff, now known as the "real" US Secretary of State in some general-news circles, has not publicly echoed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, his role in the Trump administration's diplomatic efforts, including his negotiations in Gaza's humanitarian aid and ongoing discussions with Putin, may have significant implications for European Union politics, as US tariffs on Russian allies and their oil purchases could impact the EU's energy security.
