Upcoming Kremlin venture for Trump's suspected foreign secretary prior to difficult diplomatic negotiations
In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts. Witkoff, a former real estate developer and long-time friend of Trump, serves as the special envoy for sensitive peace missions, particularly in international diplomacy involving Russia and Ukraine.
Witkoff has been the de facto envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin, maintaining a personal relationship with him and facilitating dialogue. His primary mission is to remind the Kremlin of Trump's Ukraine ultimatum, aiming to prevent further loss of life.
Witkoff's diplomatic efforts have been significant. He has travelled multiple times to Moscow to negotiate peace efforts and prisoner exchanges during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. One of his most notable achievements was securing the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel from Russia in exchange for a Russian citizen detained in the U.S.
Witkoff was part of American delegations negotiating frameworks for peace talks held in Riyadh in February 2025, alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. However, his diplomatic efforts have drawn mixed reactions. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy and some U.S. lawmakers have expressed concern or criticism about Witkoff's comments and stance, suspecting undue influence by Russian disinformation and questioning his position in the talks.
Beyond the Ukraine crisis, Witkoff has also been involved in humanitarian aid discussions for Gaza, indicating his broader role in Trump's international diplomacy portfolio. Witkoff has been acting as a replacement for Secretary of State Marco Rubio in diplomatic missions, and his influence in Washington is such that Trump's Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, is rarely mentioned.
As the ultimatum expires this Friday, Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Moscow again to put pressure on Putin to end the Ukraine war. The stakes are high, and Witkoff's role as Trump's special envoy in this critical situation is undeniable.
References:
- The Washington Post
- The New York Times
- The Atlantic
- CNN
- The European Union, particularly influential policymakers, are closely watching the diplomatic efforts of Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy, in the war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia.
- Amidst the general news reporting on the Ukraine crisis, the European Union is keen on understanding the politics involved in Witkoff's role as a key figure in Trump's international diplomacy portfolio, given his active involvement beyond the conflict.
