1: Let’s talk about Steve Witkoff, because I think the narrative of...
Їne Back Їversen@IneBackIversen
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Nov 28, 2025
~5 min read
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1: Let’s talk about Steve Witkoff, because I think the narrative of him being a “useful idiot” is a dangerous trap to walk in.
It’s darker than that.
Witkoff has spent three decades swimming in russian money, russian mob circles, and russian real-estate pipeline.
A thread 🧵
It’s darker than that.
Witkoff has spent three decades swimming in russian money, russian mob circles, and russian real-estate pipeline.
A thread 🧵
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2: He isn’t just “a MAGA dude” advising Trump on Russia–Ukraine.
Witkoff is of russian descent, built his fortune through NYC networks flooded with post-Soviet criminal money, and is now pushing the kremlin wishlist so called “peace plan”
It’s not a coincidence.
It’s continuity.
Witkoff is of russian descent, built his fortune through NYC networks flooded with post-Soviet criminal money, and is now pushing the kremlin wishlist so called “peace plan”
It’s not a coincidence.
It’s continuity.
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3: In the 1990s, Manhattan’s luxury real estate became the #1 laundromat for russian criminal networks fleeing the collapse of the USSR.
The FBI has testified to Congress about this era. It was no secret.
And who rose to power right then?
Steve Witkoff & Donald Trump.
The FBI has testified to Congress about this era. It was no secret.
And who rose to power right then?
Steve Witkoff & Donald Trump.
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4: Trump Tower in the 80s–90s was filled with:
•russian mobsters
•arms dealers
•money launderers
•“businessmen” tied to Semion Mogilevich
•shell companies buying in cash
Trump didn’t just tolerate it — he blindly” welcomed it.
•russian mobsters
•arms dealers
•money launderers
•“businessmen” tied to Semion Mogilevich
•shell companies buying in cash
Trump didn’t just tolerate it — he blindly” welcomed it.
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5; Trumps buddy Witkoff played on the commercial version of the same ecosystem.
While Trump handled condos bought with suitcases of cash, Witkoff handled big office buildings financed through opaque partnerships & distressed sellers.
Two men, one pipeline of russian capital.
While Trump handled condos bought with suitcases of cash, Witkoff handled big office buildings financed through opaque partnerships & distressed sellers.
Two men, one pipeline of russian capital.
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6: fast-forward 2024–25
Witkoff is Trump’s point man on Russia–Ukraine policy.
A man with:
• zero diplomatic background
• zero Ukraine expertise
&
• A large russian network
• A history of loud Pro-kremlin stans
And here we are again, with the U.S flashing russias wishlist.
Witkoff is Trump’s point man on Russia–Ukraine policy.
A man with:
• zero diplomatic background
• zero Ukraine expertise
&
• A large russian network
• A history of loud Pro-kremlin stans
And here we are again, with the U.S flashing russias wishlist.
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7: Déjà vu:
2016, Paul Manafort(Former Trump Campaign Chairman) met Konstantin Kilimnik (a russian intel asset) to discuss a “peace plan” for Ukraine that:
• legitimized russia’s invasion
• installed a Moscow-approved leader
• lifted sanctions
• forced Kyiv to negotiate under duress
Sound familiar?
2016, Paul Manafort(Former Trump Campaign Chairman) met Konstantin Kilimnik (a russian intel asset) to discuss a “peace plan” for Ukraine that:
• legitimized russia’s invasion
• installed a Moscow-approved leader
• lifted sanctions
• forced Kyiv to negotiate under duress
Sound familiar?
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8: And how absurd isn’t it, to hear Trump again and again say “The war would have never started if I were president”
When he knows darn well russia invaded Ukraine in 2014. And you better believe that the Manafort “Peace Plan” conversations, Trump have heard of many MANY times.
When he knows darn well russia invaded Ukraine in 2014. And you better believe that the Manafort “Peace Plan” conversations, Trump have heard of many MANY times.
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9: And here we are again, this time with a 28-point “peace plan” presented handed over by Witkoff.
Same unhinged demands.
Same twisted narratives.
This is not innovation.
This is recycling Kremlin policy.
Delivered by business partners disguised as diplomacy.
Same unhinged demands.
Same twisted narratives.
This is not innovation.
This is recycling Kremlin policy.
Delivered by business partners disguised as diplomacy.
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10: Let’s go back to Trump round 1 again.
It’s easy to forget how disturbing Trump’s private meetings with Putin were:
•No US officials present
•No transcripts
• No accountability
•Interpreters’ notes seized
•Policy outcomes mysteriously aligned with Russian goals
It’s easy to forget how disturbing Trump’s private meetings with Putin were:
•No US officials present
•No transcripts
• No accountability
•Interpreters’ notes seized
•Policy outcomes mysteriously aligned with Russian goals
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11: And it’s the same now;
• Trump’s closed Alaska meeting with Putin.
• Witkoff’s quiet trips to Moscow
• Off-record negotiations about Ukraine
•No transparency? Just “take my word for it”
Why is US policy on Ukraine being decided behind closed doors, without Ukraine?!
• Trump’s closed Alaska meeting with Putin.
• Witkoff’s quiet trips to Moscow
• Off-record negotiations about Ukraine
•No transparency? Just “take my word for it”
Why is US policy on Ukraine being decided behind closed doors, without Ukraine?!
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12: Yet the US demand from Ukraine is a the complete opposite, constant transparency, public statements, oversight, disclosures, visibility, “THANK ME!”
But from Russia?
Not a single demand, just “give them two weeks”
This isn’t diplomacy. It’s appeasement.
But from Russia?
Not a single demand, just “give them two weeks”
This isn’t diplomacy. It’s appeasement.
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13: Witkoff’s public statements are indistinguishable from russian propaganda regarding russian language, “Territory is negotiable.” Etc
Even in 2018, Witkoff criticized Western economic sanctions against Russia, imposed after Russias illegal annexation of Crimea.
Even in 2018, Witkoff criticized Western economic sanctions against Russia, imposed after Russias illegal annexation of Crimea.
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14: And notice how Witkoff consistently omits:
• russian war crimes
• mass deportations
• missile strikes on civilians
• nuclear blackmail
• the documented genocide intent
Selective ignorance.
Aimed to whitewash & erase russias crimes & force the victim to compromise.
• russian war crimes
• mass deportations
• missile strikes on civilians
• nuclear blackmail
• the documented genocide intent
Selective ignorance.
Aimed to whitewash & erase russias crimes & force the victim to compromise.
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15: And many say; Witkoff & Trump are business men, or they want a deal.
Their deals with Russia was done long ago, many times, now they Witkoff & Trump is doing their part of it:
Appease Moscow.
Pressure Ukraine.
Undermine sanctions.
Force a deal.
Declare it “peace.”
Their deals with Russia was done long ago, many times, now they Witkoff & Trump is doing their part of it:
Appease Moscow.
Pressure Ukraine.
Undermine sanctions.
Force a deal.
Declare it “peace.”
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16: Witkoff made his career in a world where russian money laundering was normalized depicted as “investors,” “partners,” or “buyers.”
The same world that Manafort monetized, Trump depended on & russian intelligence used as cover.
They didn’t exit that world, they brought it in.
The same world that Manafort monetized, Trump depended on & russian intelligence used as cover.
They didn’t exit that world, they brought it in.
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17: Witkoff operates with zero scrutiny, because he’s framed as a “businessman” instead of a geopolitical actor.
But he is shaping:
• US posture toward russia
• U.S stance on war crimes
• The direction of NATO policy
• Ukraines future security
Off the books, next to russia.
But he is shaping:
• US posture toward russia
• U.S stance on war crimes
• The direction of NATO policy
• Ukraines future security
Off the books, next to russia.
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18:
2016: Manafort + Kilimnik → “peace plan”
2024: Witkoff → “peace plan”
2017–2019: Trump–Putin private meetings → unknown concessions
2024–2025: Trump–Russia Alaska talks → unknown concessions
This isn’t coincidence.
It’s repetition.
A pattern.
Collaborations.
2016: Manafort + Kilimnik → “peace plan”
2024: Witkoff → “peace plan”
2017–2019: Trump–Putin private meetings → unknown concessions
2024–2025: Trump–Russia Alaska talks → unknown concessions
This isn’t coincidence.
It’s repetition.
A pattern.
Collaborations.
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19: Witkoff is openly declaring the U.S advocates for russia. It’s not concealed. It’s directly hostile to Ukraine & EU security.
That’s the man who sit with russia tasked to “negotiate” Ukraine, without Ukraine at the table.
The pressure, demands & ultimatum fall on Ukraine.
That’s the man who sit with russia tasked to “negotiate” Ukraine, without Ukraine at the table.
The pressure, demands & ultimatum fall on Ukraine.
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20: Witkoff is a russian echo chamber.
“Ukraine should give up land.”
“Ukraine can’t win.”
“Peace requires Ukrainian concessions.”
These are not “opinions.”
These are Kremlin foreign-policy objectives. And Witkoff have publicly stated this long before his current position.
“Ukraine should give up land.”
“Ukraine can’t win.”
“Peace requires Ukrainian concessions.”
These are not “opinions.”
These are Kremlin foreign-policy objectives. And Witkoff have publicly stated this long before his current position.
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21: The pattern is clear:
1990s: russian capital enters NYC real estate, money that both Trump & Witkoff thrives on.
2016; russia uses these lines for political access
2024 : Witkoff re-emerges as Trump’s Russia whisperer
2025: A new Kremlin-shaped “peace plan” is born
1990s: russian capital enters NYC real estate, money that both Trump & Witkoff thrives on.
2016; russia uses these lines for political access
2024 : Witkoff re-emerges as Trump’s Russia whisperer
2025: A new Kremlin-shaped “peace plan” is born
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22: The “russia hoax"-is far from a hoax. It’s misunderstood.
Are they russian agents? Probably not. Are they vessels for russian policies with a history in the network. 1000%!
They are men whose worldview, networks & financing were shaped inside a system of russian influence.
Are they russian agents? Probably not. Are they vessels for russian policies with a history in the network. 1000%!
They are men whose worldview, networks & financing were shaped inside a system of russian influence.
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23: The question isn’t “Is he compromised?” The question is:
Why is US policy on russia being shaped by someone whose entire worldview was formed in the one American industry russian intelligence spent decades infiltrating?
Ask; why is there so much willingness to ignore it?
Why is US policy on russia being shaped by someone whose entire worldview was formed in the one American industry russian intelligence spent decades infiltrating?
Ask; why is there so much willingness to ignore it?
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Please unroll @UnrollHelper
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Read the full story long format 👇🏼
Їne Back Їversen@IneBackIversen
Steve Witkoff’s rise wasn’t an accident, neither is his role in Trump’s new Kremlin-friendly “peace plan.”
For decades he operated inside the same russian money pipeline that shaped Trump’s world.
The long format version: Witkoff & the russia relations👇🏼
ineukraine.com/2025/11/27/the…
For decades he operated inside the same russian money pipeline that shaped Trump’s world.
The long format version: Witkoff & the russia relations👇🏼
ineukraine.com/2025/11/27/the…
