Steve Witkoff: Trump's key role in US foreign policy

Steve Witkoff: Trump's key role in US foreign policy

Last month, a private jet belonging to Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff flew from Abu Dhabi to Doha to Moscow and Baku before finally flying to Florida. There, Witkoff informed President Donald Trump about his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin - all within a few days.

Steve Witkoff and his role in US foreign policy

For Witkoff, whose global travels have taken him far beyond his original duties, it is increasingly clear that he enjoys President Trump's trust - a trust enjoyed by few others in the administration. The pace has not slowed in recent weeks. Witkoff met with Ukrainian and European officials in Paris on Thursday to discuss ending the Ukraine war before traveling to Rome for a second round of talks with Iran on a possible nuclear deal.

Witkoff as a central player in the Trump administration

In just three months, Witkoff has emerged as Trump's primary point of contact on some of the new administration's most pressing foreign policy challenges. His broad mandate has sometimes catapulted him into areas normally reserved for secretaries of state or CIA directors. This raises questions about how Trump perceives the experienced foreign policy experts on his team and whether Witkoff is actually capable of operating at such a high level on the global stage.

Excellent relationship with Trump

A long-time US official told CNN: "Very few people outside the inner circle of the White House have worked with him. He operates as a pretty lone ranger. It's definitely unusual to be conducting this shuttle diplomacy without a single expert." So far the results have been mixed. Witkoff has failed to revive last month's failed conflict in Gaza, and Russia has rejected the ceasefire in Ukraine that the U.S. has been demanding for more than a month.

Comparison to Jared Kushner

Witkoff, a New York real estate developer, is often compared to Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who played a similar role during Trump's first term. Both see the president almost daily, have contact with Trump family members and enjoy more freedom than most in the Trump administration. But this operational freedom has also led to internal chaos, such as television interviews usually organized through the president's national security team.

An outsider in the diplomatic field

Witkoff's close relationship with Trump has given him great prestige when dealing with foreign diplomats. A foreign diplomat in Washington said: “We know he speaks for Trump, so conversations with him are extremely valuable.” Another Middle East official praised Witkoff as a "smart negotiator" and stressed that his unconventional approach could lead to "efficient and effective negotiations."

Challenges and skepticism

Although he is considered a newcomer to the diplomatic field, some Trump allies believe an outsider is exactly what is needed in these negotiations. “Witkoff has the know-how to close deals,” an adviser said. Still, there is skepticism about Witkoff's ability to navigate the complex technical details required for final agreements. “This is someone who appears to be going it alone, with no diplomatic experience,” said a veteran of U.S. diplomacy. “The concern is that he is inferior to his points of view, and that is not a good place to be.”

Witkoff's personal preparation and commitment

When preparing for his foreign engagements, Witkoff relies primarily on his almost daily conversations with the president and his unbureaucratic meetings with members of the National Security Council. Sources say he carries two identical notebooks - one for general information and the other for more sensitive topics. Witkoff has said he will remain with the administration until the tasks assigned to him are completed, and it is not ruled out that his role will be expanded in the future.