Field of the field, close to Donald Trump, ambiguous on Ukraine … Who is Steve Witkoff, the American special envoy who multiplies visits to Russia?

A billionaire who has become a diplomat. Moreover, On the way to Moscow. For example. Nevertheless, where it is expected on Wednesday August 6 To advance talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, 68, confirms its importance in American foreign policy. Therefore, Former lawyer. Consequently. However, intimate of Donald Trump for forty years, this businessman is currently responsible for two burning files: settle the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but also negotiating the end of the war on a large scale in Ukraine.

To field field, close donald trump, new carry out these missions, Steve Witkoff was appointed “Special Envoy” by Donald Trump. Therefore, Despite his lack of experience in peace negotiation. In addition, field field. For example, close donald trump, In addition, the ex-lawyer has all the confidence of the White House and has already met Russian President Vladimir Putin several times since the start of the year. However, What intrigue in diplomatic circles, especially since his method is far from conventional. For example, Portrait of this emissary who always seems to have the favors of the Kremlin, despite a tense context.

You have to go back to the mid -1980s to see the relationship between Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump. Meanwhile, The first was then associated in the lawyer of lawyers who represented the second. For example, for all that concerned real estate transactions. Nevertheless, At the time, Steve Witkoff fell in admiration against the entrepreneur. For example, field field, close donald trump, new “I wanted to be him. Meanwhile, Everyone wanted to be him. For example, (…) He had this chivalrous. Therefore. However, intrepid style “he confided in early March, during a rare interview with field field, close donald trump, the conservative animator Tucker Carlson, former Fox News. Furthermore, Steve Witkoff has subsequently become a real estate tycoon. However, and his fortune is currently estimated at two billion dollars, according to a ranking of the magazine Forbes.

As emphasizes The Atlanticto whom Steve Witkoff gave an interview in mid-May. the businessman inserted himself in the circle closest to the one who became the 45th. then 47th president of the United States. “He was alongside Trump during his bankruptcy. his two divorces, his two dismissal procedures, his two assassination attempts and his two investitures”summarizes the American magazine. After the deadly riots of January 6. 2021 at the Washington Capitol. which was largely attributed to Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff supported the field field, close donald trump, new outgoing president at all costs, while many Republicans were distanced.

This loyalty allowed him to keep the ear of the tenant of the White field field, close donald trump, House. with whom he regularly played golf. But also to count among the first appointments announced by the Republican. a few days after his victory in the presidential election in November 2024. First appointed by Donald Trump as a special envoy for the Middle East. Steve Witkoff helped the outgoing head of state Joe Biden to win a cease-fire in January. the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip. A few weeks later. he received a second cap: that of chief negotiator concerning the war in Ukraine. that Donald Trump had promised to settle “In 24 hours”.

The objective has not been achieved. But in the space of a few months. the new special envoy has carved out an increasingly important field field, close donald trump, new place in the American management of the Ukrainian conflict. To the point of ousting General Keith Kellogg. an emissary time for Ukraine and Russia, which only retains its field field, close donald trump, mission with kyiv. Steve Witkoff has never set foot in the country at war, but multiplies travel in Russia.

On February 11. he went there for the first time. after negotiating the release of Marc Fogel, an American citizen detained in a Russian prison for drug possession. And it was aboard his own private jet (which he uses for all his special envoy trips) that Steve. Witkoff brought the ex-boundary to the United States. This episode. which he described at The Atlantic as “One of the largest blessings of [sa] vie”then places him at the forefront of the photos. where he visibly savor his success.

At the beginning of March. on the return from one of his tête-à-tête with Vladimir Putin. his words about the field field, close donald trump, war in Ukraine are controversial, because he was considered very close to the Kremlin line. “I don’t consider Putin as a bad guy “he then confides to Tucker Carlson. By the way. he gives credit to illegal referendums in the Ukrainian territories invaded by Russia. criticizes the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president to negotiate, and estimates that “If there must be a peace agreement, Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO”.

On April 25. it was simply accompanied by a translator that he sits for the fourth time in the face of a larger Russian delegation. made up of Vladimir Putin, two experienced advisers and an interpreter, reports the BBC. Conditions that Steve Witkoff assumes. in order to be the only one who can then deliver to Donald Trump “A good report. neither tinted, nor altered” of his meetings with the master of the Kremlin, he justified himself with The Atlantic. What to push the magazine to present the billionaire as the “True Secretary of State” field field, close donald trump, new From Donald Trump. in place of the head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubio. The two men. however. rejected any rivalry, repeating field field, close donald trump, to the press that they had labor relations “fortes”, even or even “Excellent”.

Like Donald Trump. whom he frequently calls his “boss”Steve Witkoff bases his approach to international relations on transactions, investments and gains. Regarding the war in Ukraine. he claimed for example in March “Certain conditions” Before helping the country to defend itself, then to rebuild itself. “If we have to give a lot of money to Ukraine. we want to hear the business plan Who explains how [le conflit] will be resolved “he assured Tucker Carlson. Since his return to power. Donald Trump has several times claimed counterparts with American military aid. such as the exploitation of minerals and rare land in Ukraine.

A follower of the art of “deal”. Steve Witkoff field field, close donald trump, new assumes to transplant his investor methods in a sphere that he does not master. “Business is to find a way to put everyone in agreement”he explained field field. close donald trump, to The Atlantic. “It is (…) to understand the two parties and what you need to bring them to the negotiating table. Then, you have to find how to reduce divergences (…). I spent all my life doing this.” And to negotiate effectively, the special envoy does not hesitate to go through other businessmen, financiers, personalities … but also leaders of Qatar. a country of which it is suspected of being a little too close. since the gas emirate bought a hotel in New York in 2023, underlines the New York Times.

Despite the increase in tensions between the United States. Russia. and the ultimatum fixed by Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin to put an end to the fights field field, close donald trump, new in Ukraine no later than Friday, August 8, the new visit to Steve Witkoff is positively welcomed by the Kremlin. “”We are always happy to see Mr. Witkoff in field field. close donald trump, Moscow and always delighted to be in contact with him “, assured the Russian presidency on Monday. She even added that a new meeting with Vladimir Putin was “Not excluded”.