Steve Witkoff, a New York real estate magnate and long-time associate of U.S. President Donald Trump, was initially appointed to serve as Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East. However, his portfolio has expanded, and now prominently features U.S.-Russia relations, and specifically, ending the war in Ukraine. “Witkoff is an animal. He’s a tough New York real estate guy,” a source close to Trump told The Telegraph when describing why and how Witkoff has ended up in such a high-profile role with Russia.

Indeed, despite his lack of prior formal diplomatic experience and Russia’s absence from his official job description, Witkoff managed to secure the release of American Marc Fogel from Russian custody in mid-February in exchange for a Russian cryptocurrency kingpin. During his visit to Moscow to win that release, Witkoff was also granted an audience with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the two reportedly discussing the Russian-Ukrainian war and other issues on the bilateral agenda for over three hours. With Trump’s official envoy for the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Keith Kellogg, essentially sidelined, Witkoff also joined White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for initial talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia about ending the Ukraine war on Feb. 18.

In his comments on the war, Witkoff has echoed Trump in arguing the conflict as having been partly "provoked," citing factors like discussions of NATO expansion, and he believes that a resolution to the conflict requires concessions from both Kyiv and Moscow. He says his primary stated objective is to end the "carnage," advocating for a temporary ceasefire—a proposal Ukraine agreed to after talks March 11 in Saudi Arabia—as an initial step toward a broader peace agreement. Witkoff expresses optimism in his public statements, highlighting positive dialogue with both Russian and Ukrainian representatives. Furthermore, he anticipates significant U.S.-Russia economic cooperation after a peace settlement. At the same time Witkoff—who is expected to meet Putin in Russia again this week—has pushed back against the idea that Ukraine is excluded from talks. 

As stated above, Witkoff's background is as a real estate attorney and developer. A friend of Trump's since the 1980s, Witkoff has been a fundraiser, political advisor and golfing buddy for the president. He was also dispatched to improve relations with Trump's Republican rivals during the 2024 election, and he donated over $2 million to Trump's PACs during the presidential campaign. Notably, Witkoff was among those on the fifth hole with Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Fla. in September 2024, when a second apparent assassination attempt was made on Trump’s life, according to Sky News.

This compilation of Witkoff’s views is part of Russia Matters’ “Competing Views” rubric, where we share prominent American figures’ takes on issues pertaining to Russia, U.S.-Russian relations and broader U.S. policies affecting Russia.¹ All sections may be updated with new or past statements. The quotes below are divided into categories similar to those in Russia Matters’ news and analysis digests, reflecting the most pertinent topic areas for U.S.-Russian relations broadly, and for the drivers of the two countries’ policies toward one another.

I. U.S. and Russian priorities for the bilateral agenda

Nuclear security and safety:

• No significant comments.

North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs:

• No significant comments.

Also see Iran and its nuclear program section. 

Iran and its nuclear program:

• “The president will not allow a bomb to be gotten by the Iranians. Not going to happen. We're not going to that place … hopefully, we can solve it diplomatically." (Allisraelnews, 01.24.25)

Also see Counterterrorism section.

Humanitarian impact of the Ukraine conflict:

• “I think we’ve had… by my estimation almost a million and a half deaths here. Finally, we have a leader that is President Trump who is determined to end the carnage. So the only way you’re going to end the carnage is if you have a relationship with the leaders of both countries that are involved,” Witkoff said. (Daily Caller, 02.23.25)

Military and security aspects of the Ukraine conflict and their impacts:

• No significant comments.

Military aid to Ukraine:

• "My best understanding … is that we never shut off intelligence sharing for anything defensive that the Ukrainians need." (Ukrinform, 03.10.25)
• On the suspension of military equipment supplies to Ukraine: “I think that aid was shut off for a bit of time. I am not sure where we are. That is a better question for our national security adviser.” (Ukrinform, 03.10.25)
• On Zelenskyy’s apology letter to Trump: “I think he [Trump] felt that Zelenskyy’s letter was a very positive first step. There was an apology, there was an acknowledgement that the United States has done so much for the country of Ukraine and a sense of gratitude.” (The Economic Times, 03.06.25)

Punitive measures related to Russia’s war against Ukraine and their impact globally:

• No significant comments.

Ukraine-related negotiations: 

• Witkoff pushed back against the idea that the Ukrainians have been cut out of talks with the Russians. In an interview with Fox, he noted that Ukrainian officials met with several high-ranking U.S. officials during the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, though he did not say that the Ukrainians were welcome in Saudi Arabia. "I don't think this is about excluding anybody," Witkoff said. "In fact, it's about including everybody." (Reuters, 02.16.25)
• When asked by a Fox reporter if he expects “Ukraine to give up a significant portion of its land and if so, will Putin be done after this?” Witkoff responded, “Those are details and I am not dismissive of the details. They are important. I think the beginning here is trust-building. It is getting everything to understand that this war does not belong continuing, that it should end.” (Fox News, 02.16.25) 
• Asked whether the U.S. expects that Ukraine would have to give up "a significant portion of its land," Witkoff said the issue is first about "trust building" with Moscow. (Russian media, 02.16.25)
• “The beginning of [an end to the war] would be a temporary ceasefire, but the long-term goal would be the end to this. We’ve had close to a million and a half deaths. And so, President Trump, his agenda is to end this carnage.” (CBS News, 02.23.25)
• On negotiations: “You’re going to see some real positive developments in the near term future.” (CBS News, 02.23.25)
• “Our conversations in Saudi Arabia with the secretary of state and with the national security adviser were, in my view, positive, constructive and clearly momentum-building. So, I would say that I’m optimistic and positive, just as the president is that we can get something done rather quickly.” (Politico, 02.23.25)
• “President Putin was very, very flexible in his thinking [on Marc Fogel’s release], released him, and I think it was a huge signal to President Trump that he wants the [peace] deal done.” (Forbes Breaking News, 02.23.25)
• “I went over to Russia. I had a meeting with President Putin. It was a long meeting, positive, constructive,” Witkoff added. “Lots of good things got discussed in large part because the president enjoyed a positive relationship with President Putin from his first term in office. That then evolved into a positive conversation with the president on a telephone call from the White House. Then there was a positive conversation with President Zelenskyy, so I think you’ve got to have these relationships. You’ve got to have communication. That’s the only way you get deals done,” Witkoff concluded. (Daily Caller, 02.23.25)
• “The beginning of [an end to the war] would be a temporary ceasefire, but the long-term goal would be the end to this. We’ve had close to a million and a half deaths. And so, President Trump, his agenda is to end this carnage.” (CBS News, 02.23.25)
• On Russian concessions: “In any peace deal, each side is going to make concessions, whether territorial or economic. I think there are a whole array of things that happen in a deal. You will see concessions from both sides. That is what the president does best.” (CNN, 02.24.25)
• “There were very, very what I'll call cogent and substantive negotiations framed in something that's called the Istanbul Protocol Agreement. We came very, very close to signing something, and I think we'll be using that framework as a guidepost to get a peace deal done between Ukraine and Russia, and I think that will be an amazing day.” (Anadolu Agency, 02.24.25)
• On the March 11 negotiations in Saudi Arabia with the Ukrainian side: "I think that we're going over there with an expectation that we're going to make substantial progress." (Reuters, 03.10.25)
• "I think that part of mediation like this is to move two sides closer to narrow the differences. We have a long way to do this with the Russians. I am really hopeful. All the signs are very, very positive from Zelenskyy, from his next in command, [Andrii] Yermak, from the Europeans." (AA, 03.10.25)
• Witkoff voiced hope that a critical minerals deal will be struck with Ukraine, saying security protocols for Ukraine and territorial issues need to be ironed out, "but these are not complicated things." (AA, 03.10.25)
• On Zelenskyy’s letter of apology to Trump following the Feb. 28, 2025, Oval Office incident: “I think that it was an important step and there’s been a lot of discussion between our teams, and the Ukrainians and the Europeans, who are relevant to this discussion as well.” (The Hill, 03.10.25)
• On expectations for negotiations with Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia: “The idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well … I think it’ll be a good meeting. I really do believe that hopefully that’ll be a good signal to the Russians, because they have been proactive, too, and wanting to … get something done here.” (The Economic Times, 03.06.25)

Great Power rivalry/new Cold War/NATO-Russia relations:

• On Sean Hannity’s vision for a peace deal, which sees Ukraine agreeing to forego NATO membership while making land concessions in exchange for security assurances. “It sounds like you should be running the deal yourself, Sean.” (Fox News, 02.12.25)
• “The war didn’t need to happen—it was provoked. It doesn’t necessarily mean it was provoked by the Russians.” Witkoff elaborated further: “There were all kinds of conversations back then about Ukraine joining NATO … That didn’t need to happen … It basically became a threat to the Russians and so we have to deal with that fact.” (Politico, 02.23.25)

China-Russia: Allied or aligned?

• No significant comments.

Nuclear arms:

• No significant comments.

Counterterrorism:

• “I would tell you that he's [Trump] intolerant to terrorists, that's a fact.” (Fox News, 02.12.25)

Conflict in Syria:

• “Lebanon, by the way, could actually mobilize and come into the Abraham Peace Accords, as could potentially Syria. So, so many profound changes are happening.” (The Time of Israel, 02.26.25)
• “In terms of the Iranian crescent, it has been basically decimated. Look at what’s happened in Syria.” (The Time of Israel, 02.26.25)

Cyber security/AI:

• No significant comments.

Elections interference:

• No significant comments.

Energy exports from CIS:

• No significant comments.

Climate change:

• No significant comments.

U.S.-Russian economic ties:

• On Kirill Dmitriev’s statement about Russia expecting the return of American business to Russia: “We did not have that specific discussion [on lifting sanctions] at the meeting you are referring to. But I think that, obviously, there would be an expectation that if we get to a peace deal, that you would be able to have American companies come back and do business there.” (CBS News, 02.23.25)
• "I think there'll be plenty of economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries," Witkoff said in an interview with Fox News, responding to a question as to whether the United States will get the rights to develop mineral resources in Russia after the conflict ends. (Interfax, 02.27.25)

U.S.-Russian relations in general:

• “I think they [Trump and Putin] had a great friendship, and I think now it’s going to continue, and it’s a really good thing for the world.” (The Hill, 02.12.25)
• "That's maybe a sign about how their working relationship between [U.S.] President [Donald] Trump and [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin will be in the future," Witkoff said on NewsNation television in reference to American citizen Marc Fogel’s release from Russian custody. (Interfax, 03.12.25)
• Witkoff described early dialogues with Moscow as “trust-building” exercises that could “pay large dividends” in the future​. (Fox News, 02.14.25) 
• On the origin of the Moscow meeting with Putin: “We had a reach out from someone who is a go-between the Russian government and the American government. I presented it to our National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, in addition Marco Rubio, John Radcliffe, our CIA Director and our Vice President, JD Vance, as well as Susie Wiles, with the President. We all determined it was credible. It was our opportunity to bring [American citizen detained in Russia] Marc Fogel back.” (Fox News, 02.20.25)
• "I spent a lot of time with Putin. Talking and developing a friendship and relationship with him." (Sky News, 02.21.25)
• "The meeting ended, I looked at my watch and it was close to three and a half hours that we were in there. And hopefully that suggests that a lot of good things got accomplished." (CBS News, 02.23.25)
• When asked whether intelligence personnel were in the room with him and Putin, Witkoff responded, “It was just me.” (CBS News, 02.23.25)
• “I was intent on carrying a message from the president [Trump] to President Putin. I had been advised that President Putin had something for me to transmit back to the president." (CBS News, 02.23.25)
• “President Trump believes, and I believe, that trust building begins with good proper communication. We had a great discussion, me and President Putin.” (CBS News, 02.23.25)

• “It was a long meeting—positive, constructive, lots of good things god discussed—in large part because the president enjoyed a positive relationship with President Putin from his first term in office.” (Forbes Breaking News, 02.23.25)

II. Russia’s domestic policies

Domestic politics, economy and energy:

• No significant comments.

Defense and aerospace:

• No significant comments.

Security, law-enforcement and justice:

• No significant comments.

III. Russia’s relations with other countries

Russia’s general foreign policy and relations with “far abroad” countries:

• See North Korea’s nuclear and missile program, Iran’s nuclear and missile program, Great Power rivalry/new Cold War/NATO-Russia relations and Conflict in Syria.

Ukraine:

• The U.S. and Russia will become open to a lot of opportunities for economic cooperation, including in the field of natural resources, after the Ukrainian settlement is finalized, Witkoff said. "Well, the mineral rights in Ukraine are quite extensive, and, by the way, they're quite extensive in Russia. And I think there'll be plenty of opportunities for the United States with Russia when this peace deal gets finished," he told Fox News in an interview. (TASS, 02.27.25)
• On the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal: “I think Zelenskyy has offered to sign it [on March 11], and we’ll see if he follows through.” (The Economic Times, 03.06.25)

Other post-Soviet republics:

• No significant comments.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the individual quoted. Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP.