Reporting and opinion by Mathew Carr
April 26, 2025 — This “peace” news is completely bizarre and shows how corrupt the press is.
The Russia-Ukraine war is supposedly not a US proxy war but, evidently, it absolutely is.
I’m not talking about President Donald Trump in the headline at the top of this opinion …but his diplomat / special envoy Steve Witkoff. See below.
Remember, the US sparked the Ukraine war by expanding NATO near Russia after saying it would not do that.
Further, the US slowed a Russia natgas pipeline project to Europe then blew it up after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The US should be paying compensation to Ukraine.
Telegraph front page snippet:
Here is the hero of the story’s CV by ChatGPT:
Steve Witkoff is an American real estate investor, attorney, and political figure, currently serving as the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East under President Donald Trump. His career spans law, real estate development, and international diplomacy.
🧑💼 Personal Background
Full Name: Steven Charles Witkoff
Date of Birth: March 15, 1957
Place of Birth: Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Education: B.A. in Political Science, Hofstra University (1980) J.D., Hofstra Law School (1983)
Family: Married to Lauren Jill Rappoport; they have three sons. Their son Andrew passed away in 2011 due to an OxyContin overdose. Son Zach co-founded a cryptocurrency firm, and son Alexander is co-CEO of the Witkoff Group.
🏢 Professional Career
Legal Practice: Began as a real estate attorney at Dreyer & Traub, later joining Rosenman & Colin. At Dreyer & Traub, he worked with Donald Trump, initiating a long-standing professional relationship. Real Estate Development: Co-founded Stellar Management in 1985, focusing on residential properties in New York City. Founded the Witkoff Group in 1997, expanding into commercial real estate. Notable acquisitions include: Daily News Building Woolworth Building 33 Maiden Lane Park Lane Hotel By 1998, the Witkoff Group managed over 11 million square feet of commercial and retail space.
🌐 Political and Diplomatic Roles
Trump Administration Involvement: Member of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Group during Trump’s first presidency, addressing the economic impact of COVID-19. Co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee for Trump’s second term in 2024. Special Envoy to the Middle East: Appointed on January 20, 2025. Despite lacking formal diplomatic experience, he has engaged in high-level negotiations, including: Brokering a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in January 2025. Facilitating the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel from Russia. Engaging in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine conflict.
💼 Business Philosophy and Style
Witkoff is known for his direct, results-oriented approach, favoring pragmatic negotiations over traditional diplomatic protocols. His real estate background informs his emphasis on leverage and deal-making in international relations. This unorthodox style has garnered both criticism and praise, reflecting his close alignment with President Trump’s strategies.
📊 Net Worth
As of 2025, Forbes estimates Steve Witkoff’s net worth at approximately $2 billion.
For more detailed information, you can visit his official profile at Witkoff.com or follow his updates on X (formerly Twitter).
