When Donald Trump wanted to initiate talks with Vladimir Putin last week, it was not the foreign minister who was sent to Moscow. Instead, it was the Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, a 67-year-old real estate magnate with no diplomatic background, who, according to Trump, spent "around three hours" with Putin.
And when American and Russian representatives met in Saudi Arabia to discuss the Ukraine war last week, it was Witkoff who was on site in Riyadh. The Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg had to settle for NATO and EU meetings in Brussels and Paris.
Donated millions
Trump and Witkoff have been close friends for almost 40 years, a friendship that is largely said to have been formed on the golf course. When Trump was shot during a golf round in Florida in September, Witkoff was by his side.
The 67-year-old, who according to Forbes has a fortune equivalent to at least 10 billion kronor, has, according to American media, donated over 21 million kronor to Trump's political endeavors. Witkoff is also said to have acted as a mediator between Trump and rival Republicans ahead of his presidential campaign.
Formally, Witkoff holds the role of Trump's Middle East envoy. He is said to have played a crucial role in the talks that led to the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza – despite not having taken office yet.
Can talk to Iran
Acquaintances say that the lawyer and philanthropist from New York is an iron fist in a velvet glove, writes Axios: seemingly a soft and courteous negotiator, but beneath the surface, ruthlessly determined. Israeli officials have described him as "energetic and informal" – some days, he showed up to the Gaza negotiations in Doha in sweatpants and sneakers, according to the news site.
Exactly where Witkoff stands on the Ukraine issue is unclear. In interviews, he has said he follows President Trump's instructions, reports The Washington Post, but has declined to comment on whether Kyiv will have to give up territory as part of a potential peace agreement.
The real estate magnate is also said to be Trump's choice for potential talks on a new nuclear deal with Iran later this year.
The President sees Steve as one of the world's best negotiators, says a White House official to Axios.
Steven Charles Witkoff was born in 1957 in Bronx, New York, and grew up on Long Island in the state of New York.
Studied law at Hofstra University and began his career as a real estate lawyer. Later became a billionaire by developing and investing in properties.
Father of three children, one of whom died of an OxyContin overdose in 2011.
In November 2024, Witkoff was appointed President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East.
