Trump Assigns Mediation Role in Talks with Russia to a Longtime Friend

U.S. President Donald Trump tasked his special envoy for the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, with initiating talks with Russia regarding the situation in Ukraine, reports NewsBox.

A few weeks ago, President Trump gave Steven Witkoff, his Middle East representative, the assignment to open dialogue with Russian officials, according to The New York Times citing sources. The publication notes that Trump has known Witkoff since the 1980s and believes that he possesses the necessary experience and negotiation skills to potentially help resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

Reporters from NYT also state that before traveling to Moscow, Witkoff met with high-ranking individuals close to Vladimir Putin. Additionally, he discussed the situation around Ukraine with representatives from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The newspaper indicates that his visit to Moscow was linked not only to talks on releasing Mark Fogel but also to exploring possible diplomatic solutions to the conflict.