SAEDNEWS: Donald Trump, former President of the United States, yesterday described the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Steven Witkoff, the well-known American businessman, as "very good." This meeting, held in a private setting away from media attention, has now attracted the focus of political and economic analysts.
According to Saed News website, quoting Russia Today, yesterday Donald Trump, in an interview with conservative reporters in Florida, reacted for the first time to the recent meeting between Vladimir Putin and Steven Witkoff, saying:
“I know both of them well and I know that when they talk together, good things happen. The meeting was very good.”
These brief but meaningful remarks have now become a central focus of media analysis. But the main question remains: Who is Witkoff, and why is his conversation with Putin so significant?
Steven Witkoff; A Man from the Business World
Steven Witkoff, a well-known American businessman and investor, has been active for years in real estate, construction, and hospitality sectors in the US and Europe. He is considered one of Donald Trump’s close associates and was a key financial supporter in Trump’s 2016 election campaign.
However, what makes his meeting with Putin more important is not merely his financial status, but his symbolic position in the tense US-Russia relationship; many now believe he has entered this dialogue on an unofficial mission on behalf of some conservative circles.
Putin, Witkoff, and Relations Beyond Politics
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, this meeting took place on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, where the two sides discussed “prospects for economic cooperation focused on investment in infrastructure projects.” However, no detailed information about the content of the meeting has been released.
Witkoff’s closeness to Trump has fueled media speculation that this meeting could be part of rebuilding unofficial communication channels between a potential future Trump administration and the Kremlin.
Trump and Russia; A Controversial Relationship
From the start of his presidency, Trump was often accused of being too soft on Russia. His 2018 meeting with Putin in Helsinki and his repeated praise of Putin’s “strong leadership” were always headline news.
In response to developments in Ukraine, Trump has repeatedly stated that if he were in power, the war would not have started.
Now that Trump is gaining ground again in the 2024 election polls, any contact or sign of a connection with the Kremlin draws special attention.
Is This “Shadow Diplomacy”?
The term “shadow diplomacy” refers to efforts by unofficial actors (such as businessmen, academics, or close associates of politicians) to influence international relations. Many analysts see the Putin-Witkoff meeting as an example of such diplomacy.
Elizabeth Carter, an international relations professor at NYU, said in an interview:
“Although Trump officially holds no power, his circle is arranging pieces for a possible second term. Witkoff could be one of those pieces.”
Domestic Reactions in the US
Democrats have reacted with high sensitivity to this matter. Senator Bernie Sanders warned in a statement that:
“America must not allow capitalists tied to political figures to divert the course of diplomacy. The meeting between Putin and Witkoff must be investigated.”
On the other side, some conservative media have described the meeting as “a positive step towards rebuilding US-Russia relations.”
Kremlin’s Response; Confirmation Without Details
Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian presidency, responded to the news by saying:
“Mr. Putin has met with international businessmen, including Mr. Witkoff. The purpose of these talks was to explore joint economic opportunities.”
However, he refrained from providing any further details.
Do Economic Meetings Carry Political Messages?
Although the official purpose of the meeting was described as economic, given the current global context—especially ongoing broad sanctions against Russia—many believe such meetings carry more political weight than purely commercial.
Witkoff, who has previously been involved in several construction projects in Moscow, may now represent a new gateway for Western investors entering Russia’s restricted market.
Summary: One Sentence, Multiple Messages
Donald Trump said just one simple sentence:
“It was a very good talk.”
But in the world of politics, this sentence can carry multiple layered and meaningful messages within it.
Does Trump really intend to smooth the path for relations with Putin again? Is this the beginning of shadow diplomacy? Or is it simply a business meeting between two influential figures? The answers to these questions will become clearer in the coming weeks.
