Nearly a year into President Donald Trump's second administration, Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, has re-entered the realm of high-stakes foreign policy despite initially stepping back to concentrate on private business ventures. Administration officials indicate that Kushner is increasingly involved in sensitive peace negotiations, complementing the efforts of special envoy Steve Witkoff, a real estate executive with limited prior government experience.

Kushner's expanded role became evident during intensive diplomatic engagements in Miami this weekend. He joined Witkoff in discussions with Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev regarding proposals to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These followed meetings with a Ukrainian delegation led by Rustem Umerov, alongside senior officials from Britain, France, and Germany. Additional sessions addressed the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan, involving Turkish and Qatari representatives.

Initially distancing himself from formal positions, Kushner assisted in finalizing a Gaza truce earlier in the year, drawing on his experience from the Abraham Accords during Trump's first term. His involvement intensified as negotiations on Ukraine proved challenging for Witkoff alone. White House statements praise Kushner as a trusted advisor and world-class negotiator, emphasizing his contributions without compensation.

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While administration spokespersons highlight compliance with legal standards and Kushner's proven track record, concerns persist regarding potential conflicts arising from his Middle East investments and Witkoff's business ties. European and Ukrainian officials view Kushner as more credible than Witkoff, though skepticism remains about the approach's effectiveness in bridging Russian demands.

Critics, including former diplomats, question whether a deal-making strategy focused on economic incentives can address core territorial and security issues in Ukraine. Despite these reservations, President Trump continues to rely on Kushner for closing complex agreements, signaling his pivotal unofficial influence in shaping second-term foreign policy outcomes.

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