• Informal envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff push for diplomatic solutions in Iran nuclear and Russia-Ukraine ceasefire negotiations, despite limited expertise.
  • Back-to-back Geneva talks on February 17, 2026, yield mixed results: "principled progress" with Iran but stalemate on territorial issues in Ukraine discussions.
  • Trump's "Board of Peace" initiative launches with low attendance, excluding G7 allies, as critics question conflicts of interest and nepotism in this privatized approach.

In a move that sidelines traditional diplomatic channels, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have emerged as key figures urging President Trump to prioritize diplomacy in volatile international conflicts. Acting without formal titles—Witkoff holds a special envoy role while Kushner operates unofficially—the duo recently engaged in high-stakes talks in Geneva, according to people familiar with the matter. Their efforts come amid escalating tensions, with Trump threatening military action against Iran if negotiations fail, even as he eases arms supplies to Ukraine in a bid to de-escalate.

The Geneva sessions, held at the Omani Embassy, saw indirect nuclear discussions with Iran achieve only "principled progress" toward a follow-up agreement, sources say. Immediately after, trilateral Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks stalled over territorial disputes, highlighting the complexities of these long-running crises. One participant described the atmosphere as "tense but pragmatic," with Kushner leveraging his prior experience from the Abraham Accords and 2025 Gaza ceasefire, which earned him positive coverage in Iranian media and a nickname—"Zyatkov" or son-in-law—from Russian officials.

Trump's backing of this "dealmaker" style was evident at the inaugural "Board of Peace" meeting in Washington, a privatized peace initiative that drew just 24 attendees out of 60 invites, notably excluding G7 allies. Countries like Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Egypt participated, signaling a shift away from traditional alliances. Witkoff, known for real estate deals such as buying New York's Woolworth Building in 1998, emphasized economic gains in post-conflict scenarios, while Kushner—who expanded his father's firm into private equity—reportedly focused on transactional outcomes over human rights concerns.

Conflicts of interest loom large, with Witkoff's son leading Trump-linked World Liberty Financial, which has UAE investments totaling $500 million, and Kushner raising billions from Saudi, Qatari, and Emirati funds. Experts from institutions like Brookings and the University of Birmingham warn that without technical support, these efforts risk breakdown, citing the duo's mixed track record. As one analyst put it, "This is a blunder against veteran negotiators," though Democrats have praised Kushner's earlier Gaza role. The future remains uncertain, with short-term risks of diplomatic collapse and long-term doubts about sustaining peace through such unconventional means.