 |
| Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have emerged as key figures in President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts involving Ukraine, Russia and Iran. steve-witkoff-jared-kushner-trump-peace-envoys.jpg |
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have emerged as two of Donald Trump’s most important diplomatic figures, carrying the administration’s peace efforts from Russia and Ukraine to some of the most sensitive negotiations involving Iran. But who are Trump’s two envoys, what exactly have they done, and can their diplomacy produce lasting peace?
On September 5 and 6, 2026, the two men made their most significant recent diplomatic journey, traveling first to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before continuing to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Their mission illustrates the unusual diplomatic role Trump has given the pair: speaking directly with leaders on opposing sides of major conflicts and attempting to establish a framework for negotiations.
Yet despite encouraging language from Washington and Moscow, no final Russia-Ukraine peace agreement has emerged.
Who Are Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner?
Steve Witkoff is a New York real-estate investor and longtime Trump ally who became one of the president’s leading special envoys. He has been deeply involved in Trump's diplomatic efforts concerning Ukraine, Iran and the broader Middle East.
Jared Kushner is Trump's son-in-law and former senior White House adviser. During Trump's first administration, Kushner played a major role in Middle East diplomacy and helped develop the administration's approach to Israel and the Arab states.
In Trump's second administration, the two have increasingly operated together on some of the most sensitive international negotiations.
Bloomberg reported in February that Trump had placed Witkoff and Kushner at the center of efforts involving both the war in Ukraine and the confrontation with Iran. The pair traveled to Geneva that month for discussions concerning Iran's nuclear program.
Their responsibilities have therefore extended beyond conventional diplomatic channels, with both men acting as direct representatives of the president.
What Role Did Witkoff and Kushner Play in Ukraine Peace Talks?
The central objective of Witkoff and Kushner's Ukraine mission has been to help create conditions for a negotiated end to Russia's war against Ukraine.
Their approach has involved maintaining communication with both Moscow and Kyiv and trying to move the two sides toward direct negotiations.
That strategy became particularly visible on September 5, when the two U.S. envoys met Putin in Moscow for more than three hours.
The White House said the discussions covered substantive plans for the next steps toward ending the war. Russian officials also described the meeting as constructive and useful, although Moscow did not announce a breakthrough.
The mission then moved to Kyiv.
Witkoff and Kushner Meet Zelenskyy in Kyiv
On September 6, Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Kyiv for their first official visit to Ukraine in their current peace mission.
They met Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials to discuss the possibility of restarting negotiations with Russia.
The discussions included Ukraine's security requirements, economic guarantees, air defense needs and preparations for another difficult winter.
Kushner said the United States wanted to return to a trilateral negotiating format involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine, arguing that having the parties communicate directly could make diplomacy more productive.
However, the meeting did not produce a peace agreement.
Zelenskyy indicated that the war could continue into the winter, highlighting the enormous gap that remains between Moscow and Kyiv.
Why Is a Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal So Difficult?
The biggest obstacles remain the fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine.
Territory is one of the most difficult issues.
Russia has continued to demand major territorial concessions, while Ukraine has rejected giving up territory as the price of peace.
Security guarantees are another major issue.
Kyiv wants credible guarantees that would prevent Russia from launching another major invasion after a peace agreement.
Ukraine also continues to require military assistance, particularly air-defense systems, as Russian missile and drone attacks continue.
For Moscow, meanwhile, the negotiations remain connected to its broader demands concerning Ukraine's military posture, territory and relationship with NATO.
These differences mean that simply bringing Putin and Zelenskyy back to the negotiating table will not automatically produce a settlement.
What Did Witkoff and Kushner Discuss With Putin?
The exact details of the latest U.S. proposal have not been publicly released.
Trump said before the trip that Witkoff and Kushner were taking a proposal aimed at ending the war.
During the September 5 meeting, Putin reiterated Russia's position on addressing what Moscow calls the "root causes" of the conflict while also discussing possible paths toward a settlement.
The Russian side described the meeting as substantive and constructive, but there was no announcement of a ceasefire or peace agreement.
That distinction is important.
A diplomatic meeting is not the same thing as a peace deal.
As of September 7, the Kremlin said it had not ruled out restarting peace negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, although it said there was not yet a specific date or venue for another round.
What Role Did Witkoff and Kushner Play in Iran Diplomacy?
Their diplomatic work has not been limited to Ukraine.
Witkoff and Kushner also became central figures in Trump's attempts to negotiate with Iran.
In February 2026, the pair traveled to Geneva for discussions connected to Iran's nuclear program. Their mission was aimed at finding a diplomatic solution and avoiding a wider confrontation.
Witkoff later publicly described the negotiations, saying the United States had pushed for major restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities.
The talks ultimately failed to produce the comprehensive agreement Washington had wanted.
In March, Witkoff said he and Kushner believed Iran's negotiators had rejected key U.S. demands and argued that the administration had exhausted diplomatic efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
The failure of those negotiations demonstrated the limits of Trump's envoy strategy: direct diplomacy can open channels that traditional negotiations sometimes cannot, but it cannot guarantee that opposing governments will accept the same terms.
Witkoff and Kushner's Iran Ceasefire Efforts
Their Iran role continued after the initial nuclear negotiations.
In April, the Trump administration sought to restart ceasefire negotiations involving Iran.
The White House announced that Witkoff and Kushner would travel to Pakistan for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as Pakistani officials attempted to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The planned diplomacy was part of a broader effort to prevent the conflict from escalating further and to establish a path toward negotiations.
The episode demonstrated another feature of the pair's diplomatic role: they were being used not only for long-term peace agreements but also for urgent crisis diplomacy.
 |
| Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been working to advance diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. witkoff-kushner-ukraine-russia-peace-talks.jpg |
Why Does Trump Rely on Witkoff and Kushner?
Trump's decision to rely heavily on the two men reflects his preference for personal diplomacy and trusted intermediaries.
Witkoff has Trump's personal confidence and has repeatedly traveled to meet foreign leaders directly.
Kushner, meanwhile, already has experience negotiating complex Middle Eastern issues from Trump's first presidency.
Together, they offer Trump two different but complementary diplomatic assets.
Witkoff brings direct access to Trump and experience dealing with Russia, Ukraine and Iran.
Kushner brings previous Middle East diplomatic experience and a close personal relationship with the president.
Their ability to speak directly with senior foreign officials also allows Trump to maintain diplomatic channels outside traditional State Department structures.
Can Witkoff and Kushner Actually Bring Peace to Ukraine?
That remains uncertain.
Their latest trip has reopened diplomatic possibilities, but it has not resolved the fundamental disputes between Russia and Ukraine.
The Kremlin's September 7 statement that it does not rule out restarting negotiations is an indication that diplomatic channels remain open. But Moscow and Kyiv continue to disagree over territory, security guarantees and the future military and political status of Ukraine.
The most realistic measure of success will therefore not be whether Witkoff and Kushner can simply arrange another meeting.
It will be whether they can persuade Russia and Ukraine to accept compromises that both sides can live with.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is likely to be on whether Washington can revive a trilateral negotiating process involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine.
Kushner has publicly expressed support for returning to that format.
Trump is also expected to remain directly involved, with further communication with Putin and Zelenskyy possible following the envoys' latest meetings.
But major questions remain unanswered.
Will Russia accept a ceasefire without securing its territorial demands?
Will Ukraine accept a peace agreement without credible security guarantees?
Will the United States commit to long-term support for Ukraine after a settlement?
And can Washington prevent the negotiations from collapsing as previous diplomatic efforts have?
Those questions will determine whether the latest mission becomes the beginning of a genuine peace process or another unsuccessful attempt at ending the war.
The Bigger Picture: Two Envoys, Two Major Conflicts
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner now occupy an unusual position in American foreign policy.
In Ukraine, they are attempting to bridge the gap between Moscow and Kyiv.
In Iran, they have been involved in efforts to negotiate over nuclear issues and ceasefire arrangements.
Their diplomatic strategy is built around direct engagement, personal relationships and Trump's willingness to negotiate with governments that Washington has historically struggled to deal with.
But diplomacy has limits.
The latest Moscow and Kyiv meetings produced renewed discussions rather than a peace agreement. And the earlier Iran negotiations demonstrated how quickly diplomatic progress can collapse when the parties disagree over fundamental security and nuclear issues.
For now, Witkoff and Kushner remain at the center of Trump's effort to use diplomacy to resolve two of the world's most dangerous geopolitical confrontations.
Whether they ultimately become the architects of major peace agreements—or simply the latest American negotiators to confront seemingly irreconcilable demands—will depend on what happens at the negotiating table next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner?
Steve Witkoff is a Trump special envoy involved in major diplomatic missions. Jared Kushner is Trump's son-in-law and former senior adviser who has also taken part in the administration's international peace efforts.
What role did Steve Witkoff play in Ukraine peace talks?
Witkoff has served as one of Trump's principal negotiators with Russia and Ukraine, including direct meetings with Vladimir Putin and efforts to restart negotiations aimed at ending the war.
What role did Jared Kushner play in Ukraine peace talks?
Kushner has worked alongside Witkoff in Trump's Ukraine diplomacy, including the September 2026 meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy and efforts to revive trilateral negotiations.
What did Witkoff and Kushner discuss with Putin?
The September 5 meeting focused on possible next steps toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The precise details of the U.S. proposal have not been publicly disclosed.
Did Witkoff and Kushner negotiate with Iran?
Yes. The pair were involved in U.S. diplomatic efforts concerning Iran's nuclear program and later efforts connected to ceasefire negotiations.
Did Witkoff and Kushner achieve a Ukraine peace deal?
No. Their September 2026 meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy did not produce a final peace agreement, although U.S. officials said they were working to revive negotiations.
Can Witkoff and Kushner end the Russia-Ukraine war?
They can help facilitate negotiations, but any lasting peace agreement ultimately depends on Russia and Ukraine agreeing to difficult questions involving territory, security guarantees and the future of the conflict.
Conclusion
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have become central figures in Donald Trump's unconventional approach to international diplomacy.
From Moscow and Kyiv to negotiations involving Iran, the two men have been tasked with navigating some of the world's most complicated conflicts.
Their latest Ukraine mission has reopened diplomatic channels, but the absence of a breakthrough shows how difficult the path to peace remains.
For now, the biggest question is not whether Witkoff and Kushner can get the parties talking.
They already have.
The real test is whether they can turn those conversations into agreements that Russia, Ukraine, Iran and the United States are ultimately willing to accept.