Trump backs real‑estate tycoon and former adviser for fresh Ukraine peace push

Steve Witkoff, a New York real‑estate developer, and Jared Kushner, former senior adviser to former President Donald Trump, are preparing to fly to Ukraine and Russia this weekend. According to Al Jazeera, the two will join a Trump‑sponsored delegation aimed at jump‑starting stalled peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

The mission, described by the former president as a “personal diplomatic initiative,” seeks to create a channel for dialogue after years of dead‑end negotiations. Trump has repeatedly hinted that private actors could help break the impasse, and this is the first publicized instance of such a plan involving high‑profile American figures.

Kushner, who served as senior adviser on Middle‑East policy during the Trump administration, has previously engaged in back‑channel diplomacy with Russia. Witkoff, whose firm has built luxury towers across the United States, is a longtime Trump donor. Their combined political and business clout is expected to lend weight to the informal talks, though no official government endorsement has been confirmed.

The conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s full‑scale invasion in February 2022, has already claimed over 150,000 lives and displaced millions. Multiple cease‑fire attempts – from the 2022 Minsk agreements to the 2023 Turkish‑mediated talks – have collapsed, leaving a stalemate that has strained NATO and European security frameworks. The war has also reshaped global energy markets and prompted unprecedented sanctions on Moscow.

In recent months, diplomatic fatigue has set in among traditional state actors, prompting some to explore alternative avenues. Private‑sector initiatives, while unconventional, have occasionally opened doors in other conflicts, such as the back‑channel talks that helped end the 2006 Lebanon war. Observers note that any progress will depend on the willingness of both Kyiv and Moscow to engage, and on how the United States balances this informal outreach with its official policy.

If successful, the Witkoff‑Kushner trip could signal a new chapter in conflict resolution, where non‑governmental figures play a more visible role. However, critics warn that without clear mandates and transparency, such efforts risk undermining formal diplomatic channels. The world will watch closely as the delegation lands in Kyiv on Saturday, hoping for a tangible step toward ending a war that has reshaped Europe’s security landscape.