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s the war in Ukraine raged on, a surprise twist emerged from Washington. Donald Trump's initial pick for special Ukrainian peace envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg, was suddenly replaced by his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. The move sent shockwaves through Kyiv and Europe, overshadowing more pressing questions about the negotiations team lineup.

    Trump made two key phone calls on Wednesday: one to Russian President Vladimir Putin and another to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He spoke with both leaders about potentially moving forward with peace talks, ending the diplomatic isolation of his Russian counterpart. Trump's statement afterwards that he and Putin agreed to "work together very closely" sent shockwaves through the international community.

    However, Witkoff's appointment raised eyebrows, given his lack of diplomatic credentials. As a real estate tycoon, he had no experience in high-stakes negotiations like those between Ukraine and Russia. Yet, earlier this year, he played a key role in securing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, using his "direct, outspoken, and aggressive negotiation style" to secure the release of 33 hostages.

    Witkoff's connections in the Middle East may prove crucial in negotiating deals between Ukraine and Russia. Qatar, for instance, has been acting as a major mediator between Kyiv and Moscow, securing the return of children illegally deported by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories. Saudi Arabia, too, is reportedly preparing to host Zelenskyy for talks.

    The question remains: what specific powers Witkoff has been granted, and how do they differ from those of Kellogg, the official US special envoy for Russia and Ukraine? One thing is clear: the Middle East may hold the key to ending Russia's war against Ukraine.