Recently, new figures have emerged as central actors in Donald Trump’s peace initiatives, including special envoy Steven Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. US President Donald Trump announced that the next step in his peace process will likely involve Witkoff and possibly Kushner meeting Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Kushner, who has significant experience in Middle Eastern peace efforts, previously played a role in crafting the Abraham Accords and the ceasefire plan for the Gaza Strip. This background is one of the reasons for his involvement in the latest negotiations, while Witkoff is considered a key figure in discussions with Russia over conflict resolution.
The content of these peace proposals is still debated. Although large-scale fighting in Gaza has stopped, a sustainable peace has not yet been achieved, and sporadic escalations continue. For Trump, halting the war is itself a significant milestone, even if not all key parties were present to sign the deal.
The influence of US policymakers has increased accordingly. The new US Army Secretary, Aden Driscoll, could shift the tone of Washington’s international communication. In assembling his team, Trump prioritizes loyalty, as seen in the selection of Driscoll and Witkoff.
Trump's approach is pragmatic: he views a halt to the war as a substantial Russian concession. Republicans emphasize that Trump’s team acts with unity, stating there is no internal disagreement regarding policy on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Overall, Trump’s current staffing is based on personal loyalty—entrusting international negotiations and peace initiatives to those closest to him and to the former president himself.
