Why Ukraine’s peace talks expose the dangers of letting dealmakers replace seasoned diplomats

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by The Conversation, click this post to read the original article.

Recent reports about Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, an American businessman, reveal how his involvement in Ukraine peace negotiations is raising serious concerns. A leaked recording of him advising Russian officials on presenting proposals to Washington has sparked questions about the shift from professional diplomacy to a more personalized, leader-driven approach. Traditionally, diplomacy involves seasoned professionals skilled in building lasting peace agreements, but more recently, political leaders have turned to business figures who bring a risk-taking, deal-oriented mindset.

While businesspeople can offer creative solutions and challenge conventional approaches, their success depends on the political context and the checks and balances surrounding them. Historical figures like Jean Monnet demonstrated how outsiders can play productive diplomatic roles—he helped lay the groundwork for the European Union by working within collaborative structures during a time of shared transatlantic vision. However, Witkoff is operating in a very different environment where political personalization and a lack of institutional balance are dominant.

Witkoff’s approach exhibits three potentially risky tendencies. First, he seems to favor a “victor’s peace” that prioritizes a politically convenient outcome for the stronger side—Russia—possibly at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity. Second, he appears to focus more on achieving a quick outcome than building a legitimate, long-lasting process that all parties can accept. Third, his view of diplomacy seems limited to negotiations between major powers like the U.S. and Russia, sidelining Ukraine and its European allies.

These tendencies might be manageable individually, but together—especially in the current political climate where allies and institutions offer little resistance—they raise concerns. European leaders, although critical, remain heavily reliant on the U.S. and have limited influence over the terms being shaped. Ultimately, achieving peace in Ukraine calls for balancing innovation with restraint, inclusion with authority, and transactional thinking with broader legitimacy. Outsiders like business envoys can help—but only when their roles are properly balanced and supported.