Steve Witkoff is an American real estate investor, lawyer, and diplomat who currently serves as the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East. Born on March 15, 1957, in New York City, he is the founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group, a real estate investment and development firm known for significant acquisitions such as the Daily News Building and the Woolworth Building in Manhattan.
In January 2025, Witkoff played a pivotal role in negotiating a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, working alongside other diplomats to secure the release of hostages and establish a six-week ceasefire.
Beyond his Middle East efforts, Witkoff has engaged in negotiations concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In February 2025, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, resulting in a prisoner exchange and the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel from a Russian prison.
Witkoff has expressed optimism about achieving peace in Ukraine, suggesting that Putin seeks an end to the conflict and that a partial ceasefire, particularly in the Black Sea region, could lead to broader peace.
However, Witkoff’s comments have also attracted controversy. He has praised Putin as “super smart” and suggested that Putin does not aim to “take all of Europe,” remarks that have raised concerns among Ukrainian officials and others about his impartiality and alignment with Kremlin narratives.
Additionally, Witkoff has claimed that Putin prayed for former President Donald Trump following an assassination attempt in July 2024, highlighting the personal rapport between the two leaders.
Overall, Steve Witkoff’s role as Special Envoy has been marked by significant diplomatic engagements in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, though his perspectives and associations have sparked both progress and debate in international circles.