Bloomberg Talks — Steve Witkoff Talks Greenland, Iran, Ukraine

Host: Bloomberg (AnnMarie Hordern)
Guest: Steve Witkoff, President’s Special Envoy for Peace Negotiations
Date: January 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This Bloomberg Talks episode, broadcasting from Davos at the World Economic Forum, features AnnMarie Hordern interviewing Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Special Envoy for Peace Negotiations. The discussion delves deeply into three major geopolitical flashpoints: the US's strategic move on Greenland, ongoing Ukraine-Russia peace talks, and the challenge of Iran and Middle East stability. Witkoff provides an insider look at negotiation strategies, the stakes for US foreign policy, and the mood among world leaders.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Greenland: A New Epicenter of US Strategy

• Strategic Significance of Greenland
  • Witkoff explains that the US president views Greenland as "strategically critical," following a long tradition of US interest due to defense concerns ([00:54]).
    • Quote: "It's of strategic significance, importance. ... And we’re in the best position to defend it against adversaries and enemies." – Witkoff ([00:54])
  • If negotiations fail, the US president is considering tariffs on Europe as leverage ([01:14]).
• Diplomatic Maneuvering and Davos Negotiations
  • Witkoff claims high-level discussions on Greenland are expected at Davos, drawing considerable global participation ([01:47]).
    • Quote: “We’ve got 20 or maybe 25 leaders who have already said yes. ... Everyone wants to be a part of this. ... What the president is going to do here will be, it'll be game changing for the world.” – Witkoff ([01:57])
• Logistics and Prospects
  • Some uncertainty persists about how quickly a deal could materialize but hints at major shifts possible at Davos ([03:15], [09:23]).

2. Ukraine Peace Talks: Cautious Optimism

• State of Play and Progress
  • Negotiations are reportedly “90% done,” with recent talks pushing past prior obstacles ([02:44]).
    • Quote: “The Ukrainians have said that [we're] 90% done and, and I agree with them.” – Witkoff ([02:44])
  • Meetings have included key Ukrainian officials and involved parallel channels with Russia ([02:44]-[03:15]).
  • Witkoff and Jared (likely Kushner) are scheduled for imminent talks in Moscow and the UAE ([03:17]).
• Challenges and Realities
  • Ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure are acknowledged but do not stall diplomatic momentum ([03:49]).
    • Quote: “They're in a war and so they're shooting at each other. And we don't condone that... People, you're right, are suffering on both sides.” – Witkoff ([04:04])
  • The Russians have requested meetings—a signal Witkoff interprets as engagement in good faith ([04:45]).
• Sanctions and Carrots
  • If talks fail, Witkoff sidesteps specifics but notes that future actions depend on blame attribution; the US remains ready with “the toolkit” of sanctions ([05:01]).

3. The Reconstruction and Economic Stakes

• Corporate Participation
  • Rebuilding Ukraine post-peace is a major focus. Companies like BlackRock are key facilitators ([06:09]).
    • Quote: “We have told Ukraine that we think that their GDP, their economy can triple over the next 10 years. ... That could be the secret sauce here.” – Witkoff ([06:09])
  • The potential for both Ukraine and Russia to benefit economically from peace is presented as a core diplomatic incentive ([06:09]).

4. Middle East and Iran: Difficult Diplomacy

• Engagement with Iran
  • Contacts exist through backchannels (notably Oman), seeking to end political killings and stabilize the region ([06:43], [06:53]).
    • Quote on Iran: “There's been a lot of killings, and it's been horrific... They were just coming out into the street saying, we want to change. You shouldn’t be killed for ... expressing a viewpoint…” – Witkoff ([07:04])
  • Iranian signals are not yet convincing—no face-to-face meetings are scheduled but channels remain open ([07:38], [08:12]).
• Diplomatic Constraints
  • Witkoff expresses disappointment that a meeting with Iran’s foreign minister did not materialize at Davos but underscores the need for communication ([07:54]).

5. Reflections on Negotiation Challenges and Teamwork

• Complexity of the Portfolio
  • Witkoff credits the administration with resolving multiple global conflicts and highlights the importance of teamwork (including praise for Jared Kushner and Marco Rubio) ([08:39]).
    • Quote: “The president is focused on solutions. He's focused on cleaning up all these conflicts. ... These are the great moments of my life.” – Witkoff ([08:39])
• Outlook on Greenland
  • Ends with reiteration of Greenland’s importance: “Denmark cannot defend it ... as compared to how the United States can defend it.” – Witkoff ([09:32])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |---|---|---| | 00:54 | Witkoff | “It's of strategic significance, importance. ... We're in the best position to defend it against adversaries and enemies.” | | 01:57 | Witkoff | “What we’re going to do here ... will be game-changing for the world.” | | 02:44 | Witkoff | “The Ukrainians have said that when 90% done and, and I agree with them.” | | 04:04 | Witkoff | “They're in a war and so they're shooting at each other. And we don't condone that. ... People, you're right, are suffering on both sides.” | | 06:09 | Witkoff | “We have told Ukraine that we think that their GDP, their economy can triple over the next 10 years.” | | 07:04 | Witkoff | “You shouldn’t be killed for ... expressing a viewpoint that you want changes. So Iran needs to change its ways.” | | 08:39 | Witkoff | “The president is focused on solutions. ... These are the great moments of my life.” | | 09:32 | Witkoff | “Denmark cannot defend it ... as compared to how the United States can defend it.” |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Greenland as a US priority: [00:54]–[01:57]
• Ukraine peace negotiations: [02:26]–[03:49], [04:45]–[05:19]
• Potential new sanctions on Russia: [05:01]–[05:19]
• Ukraine post-war reconstruction: [06:09]
• Iran and Mideast diplomacy: [06:43]–[07:54]
• Negotiation challenges and US team: [08:39]–[09:23]
• Final remarks on Greenland: [09:23]–[10:02]

Summary

Throughout this episode, Steve Witkoff provides a candid, first-hand account from the cockpit of global negotiations. The conversation covers the US's hard-nosed but pragmatic approach to Greenland, the fragile (but progressing) path to Ukraine-Russia peace, and the uncertain but pressing challenge of Iranian state violence. Witkoff underscores the administration’s belief in combining military strength, economic incentives, and the promise of prosperity as a path to peace—while also revealing the personal, collaborative nature of high-stakes diplomacy at Davos.

Listeners gain an inside look at the balancing act between pressure and invitation, optimism and realism, and the race to harness historic moments for stability in an unstable world.