Posted on 02/16/2025 10:36:26 AM PST by marcusmaximus
President Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is the congenial dealmaker for the very brash dealmaker-in-chief.
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Associates describe Witkoff, 67, as something of a velvet glove when it comes to negotiating — smooth and to the point.
Witkoff helped persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to release U.S. teacher Marc Fogel on Monday, after talks in Moscow.
Witkoff played a key role in getting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire-and-hostages deal with Hamas last month.
He's also Trump's point man for talks the president wants to have with Iran to try to reach a new nuclear deal later this year, U.S. officials say.
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Israeli officials who worked with Witkoff on the Gaza ceasefire deal described him as energetic and informal. Witkoff even came to some negotiation sessions in Doha wearing sweatpants, a sweatshirt and sneakers.
Witkoff's energy "was a key factor that led to the deal," an Israeli official said.
Witkoff favors swift, direct and to-the-point talks.
"He wants to talk to people that are empowered to close a deal, and not waste his time on talking to people that need to go back to their boss every two minutes to get approval," a source close to Witkoff said.
(Excerpt) Read more at axios.com ...
Where’s Putin?
“Witkoff played a key role in getting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire-and-hostages deal with Hamas last month.”
At least my cat Trevor had the good sense to pretend he didn’t do something stupid.
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