How Steve Witkoff pushed Ukraine sympathizers out of White House, and led the US into Russia's arms
[JB: This original -- thoughtful -- article in its original format I could not reproduce on my computer, including some lines in the text. So: I strongly suggest you read the article in its original version.]
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is running a shadow operation inside the White House in an effort to sideline pro-Ukraine officials, the Kyiv Independent has learned.
Witkoff — a real estate mogul with no diplomatic background before his appointment — has emerged as one of the central architects of a new Washington peace proposal that Ukrainian officials say revives the Kremlin's most sweeping demands.
A source in Ukraine's President's Office earlier said that Witkoff is shaping the plan in direct coordination with Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's top economic negotiator and an operator in Moscow's efforts to influence Washington.
"He has been doing it for months," the source said, mentioning Witkoff's 28-point plan that has been seen in Kyiv as a de facto capitulation to Russia.
The plan, approved by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week, includes requirements for Ukraine to cede territory, slash its military, and limit its alliances — proposals far more sweeping than those discussed in earlier negotiation rounds.
"Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either 28 complicated points or the hardest winter yet — and the risks that follow," Zelensky said in an address to the nation.
According to Ukrainian and U.S. officials, the Kyiv Independent spoke with, it seems that after months-long back and forth, Witkoff's view of peace has won over Washington.
From Manhattan skyscrapers to Kremlin backchannels
Witkoff is an American real estate developer, investor, and founder of the Witkoff Group, a major real estate development and investment firm based in New York City.
Nothing in his background suggests expertise in Eastern European geopolitics or conflict resolution.
"Steve Witkoff is simply someone Trump trusts," Alexandra Filippenko, a U.S.-Russia relations expert, told the Kyiv Independent, noting their relationship dates back to the 1980s Manhattan real estate scene. "Trump values that kind of loyalty," she said.
Yet beyond real estate, Witkoff has served as Trump's special envoy to the Middle East and has increasingly engaged in talks relating to Russia's war against Ukraine.
Witkoff appears overly aligned with Moscow and lacks a clear understanding of Ukraine's position.
For Ukraine, the envoy has become a deeply concerning figure.
Witkoff has emerged as Trump's de facto personal envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin, participating in solo meetings with foreign leaders while bypassing diplomatic protocol.
The envoy has met Putin at least five times, spending three to four hours with him during each session on Feb. 11, March 13, April 11 and 25, and again in August.
After nearly every meeting, the U.S. president declared that "great progress was made," while Witkoff later echoed Kremlin talking points in his conversations with U.S. media.
The envoy also reportedly used Kremlin translators during these talks.
This kind of approach has alarmed U.S. officials, who said that Witkoff appears overly aligned with Moscow and lacks a clear understanding of Ukraine's position. In July, he also urged Trump to lift U.S. energy sanctions on Russia and pushed a territorial swap that Ukrainian officials consider unworkable and a dangerous concession.
The Moscow Walks
Witkoff's other track has been his talks with Dmitriev, who heads Russia's Direct Investment Fund and has long served as one of Putin's key emissaries to the West.
Each time Witkoff traveled to Russia, Dmitriev was waiting — the two held quiet, informal meetings away from official channels.
When Witkoff landed in Moscow on Aug. 6, they strolled together through Zaryadye Park in the city center, a scene that showed the unusually comfortable rapport between Washington's envoy and Russia's chief negotiator.
In the latest contacts, Dmitriev flew to Washington and was planning to meet Witkoff on Oct. 25, though it remains unclear if the meeting occurred. There were no public announcements.
Shortly after, the new U.S. peace proposal emerged — one that looks remarkably like Moscow's demands.
Witkoff has spent the past month quietly shaping the framework, working directly with Dmitriev, a source familiar with the matter said.
Multiple sources noted that European allies were excluded from drafting the plan — and Ukraine was cut out as well.
War inside the White House
Witkoff's close coordination with Dmitriev points to a deeper internal struggle in Washington.
JB: was unable to copy three texts below the above paragraph
Ukraine loses its champion
Making matters worse for Kyiv, Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, will step down from his role in January, a White House source confirmed to the Kyiv Independent.
Kellogg's exit will leave Ukraine without its chief advocate in the Trump White House just as Witkoff, working with Dmitriev, tries to consolidate control over Ukraine policy.
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