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The fact that a real estate billionaire with no diplomatic background has become the Kremlin’s most important interlocutor marks a profound shift in U.S. foreign policy. In talks about a possible end to the war in Ukraine, personal proximity and direct access are suddenly playing a bigger role than experience, protocol, and institutions. This is a wake-up call for Europe and Kiev.
The appointment of Steve Witkoff represents not only an unusual intermediary but also a new logic of power. Russia is deliberately exploiting US President Donald Trump's preference for familiar faces and economic thinking. According to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal, the Kremlin worked from the beginning to establish Witkoff as his preferred contact.
Why Moscow chose Steve Witkoff as its American negotiator
According to the narrative, the Kremlin was less concerned about titles than about access. Who could directly contact the president, who enjoyed his trust, who thought in terms of business and exchange? Therefore, Russia was looking for a partner who was not bound by diplomatic routines.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Vladimir Putin had analyzed the psychological profiles of people in Trump's circle, including Keith Kellogg.
Russian reports noted that Kellogg's daughter runs a charity in Ukraine, a red flag from Moscow's perspective, as RBC Ukraine points out. The Kremlin then reportedly used this information to search for "someone else" who better fit the desired profile.
According to reports, contact was expedited not through Europe, but through Saudi Arabia. Riyadh acted as an intermediary because it maintains reliable channels with both Washington and Moscow. For the kingdom, this also presents an opportunity to establish itself as a geopolitical mediator.
The Wall Street Journal identifies Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, as the main broker, who used Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as an intermediary. Moscow reportedly imposed an unusual condition on the planned meeting: Witkoff had to come alone — without a CIA escort, without diplomats, and even without his translator. Under the so-called “Moscow Rules” of U.S. authorities, such a meeting gives Russia maximum control.
The first direct line marked the beginning of a new model. Witkoff traveled to Russia several times and met with Putin for lengthy talks, while a visit to Ukraine never materialized. This has led to a growing perception in Kiev and some European capitals of an unbalanced communication channel.
The Wall Street Journal reports on six trips to Russia and a five-hour conversation that lasted past midnight. According to the newspaper, Witkoff listened to lengthy explanations of Putin’s views on Russian history and took notes. Putin reportedly used the time to assess Witkoff’s openness to the Russian perspective. Critics in Ukraine and Europe, the newspaper reports, accuse Witkoff of pushing for territorial concessions in exchange for a peace whose durability is uncertain.
In addition to foreign relations, there are disagreements about procedures and responsibilities. In Washington, two opposing approaches are clashing: a quick deal with concessions versus increasing pressure on Moscow. It is this friction that affects how the United States presents itself as credible and unified on the international stage.
NBC News reports on several occasions in which Secretary of State Marco Rubio allegedly learned of Witkoff’s travel and meeting plans only after the event. This caused irritation in Washington, as arrangements with partners were apparently not always coordinated. The network also addresses security concerns. The report says Witkoff sometimes follows a lax approach to communication and security standards, while the White House refutes this claim, pointing to regular security checks and encrypted communications. It also mentions a leaked transcript of a conversation and evidence of contact via the messaging service WhatsApp.
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