Witkoff, a New York real estate magnate and long-time friend of Donald Trump, was initially appointed to serve as Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, but is now playing a key role in ending the war in Ukraine.

U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, who has been tapped by Trump to serve as his national security adviser, has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the Ukraine war, advocating for clearer “red lines” and stronger deterrence against Russian escalation.