Steve Witkoff Talks Greenland, Iran, Ukraine

Summary

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

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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.

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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])

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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.” |

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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]

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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.

Transcript

[A]

At CES. Michael McDermott, EVP of Samsung, spoke with Bloomberg Media Studios about what the company calls its next AI chapter, your companion to AI Living. It's a shift from AI as a feature to AI as a trusted partner in everyday life. Bloomberg Audio Studios Podcasts, radio news now.

[B]

Let'S go to Davos where Bloomberg's AnnMarie.

[A]

Hordern is standing by.

[B]

Annmarie, thank you so much. Vonni. I'm now joined by, of course, the special envoy for peace negotiations. The Middle east is portfolio has expanded as well to what's going on in Ukraine. Steve Wykoff, thank you so much for joining us here.

[A]

It's my pleasure. Thanks for having me.

[B]

So this Davos, I thought I would start with you talking about your portfolio. Russia, the Middle east, you successfully negotiate a peace in Gaza. But we first have to talk about this elephant in the room when it comes to Greenland. What's the thinking behind this?

[A]

Well, I think the president feels, as many other presidents before him have indicated, that it's of strategic significance, importance. It's a, it's just strategically critical and we're in the best position to defend it against adversaries and enemies. And I agree with that position the president's talking about.

[B]

If he doesn't get Greenland, it's going to be tariffs on the Europeans. At the same time, you're trying to bring the Europeans on board to get an agreement on their soil, on their continent, in Ukraine. Does it make your job more challenging?

[A]

No, he makes my job easier, actually. I'm his emissary and he sets the table pretty good for people like me.

[B]

Do you think there'll be an off ramp on Greenland? What are the conversations like right now?

[A]

I think the president, the president is an incredible negotiator, so he will, he'll get to the right place.

[B]

And those negotiations could potentially take place here in Davos.

[A]

I think there'll be some discussions here.

[B]

Do you think a lot of leaders are going to show up to the Board of Peace event because Emmanuel Macron has left von der Leyen, leaving. They're all going to have an emergency summit on Greenland.

[A]

You know, we've got 20 or maybe 25 leaders who have already said yes. This is not such an easy place to get to. They've already said yes. Think you're going to see overwhelming response. We had many people who we weren't sure if they were going to even want to get an invitation. Now they're calling up for invitation. So everyone wants to be a part of this. The what we're going to do here, what the president is going to do here will be, it'll be game changing for the world.

[B]

How have you pushed the ball forward when it comes to Ukraine talks here? I know Karl Dmitriev was here on the ground. Yes, he was tweeting about how the talks went.

[A]

Well, he's a tweeter.

[B]

Can you hear? He is. He follows me. Can you give us some insight into to if the talks are going well? Where are we at this moment? What is the state of play?

[A]

Well, the Ukrainians have said that when 90% done and, and I agree with them. In fact, I think that we've made even more significant improvement over this past weekend. We were meeting with Carol but enough who is of course their new vice president, ran military intelligence for them, their head of the parliament, David and with Rusta Mumeroff. And we made even more progress during those meetings in Miami this past week. I'll be with them tonight and I think that. And then I'm going to Moscow with Jared. All of these discussions are when are.

[B]

You going to Moscow?

[A]

Jared and I will leave Thursday night and arrive in Moscow late at night and then go over to the UAE afterwards for working groups.

[B]

So do you think we are close to the final 10% of this deal? Do you think this get done the next few weeks?

[A]

The final 10%? I don't know about the next few weeks, but I know we've made more progress in the last six or seven weeks since Geneva than we've made, according to the Ukrainians. Now, I'm going to use their what they say, according to the Ukrainians, more progress than in the last three or four years.

[B]

We've seen though Russia continue their attacks, especially on critical infrastructure, most recently energy infrastructure, leaving thousands, maybe millions of Ukrainians without power, without heat. Do you think Putin is truly here for a peace deal?

[A]

Well, first of all, they're in a war and so they're shooting at each other. And we don't condone that. I mean, we think it's unfortunate. That's why the president and, and me at the president, with Jared, at the president's direction are working so hard for the peace. We hope that will occur. We think people, you're right, are suffering on both sides. It's cold there and not to have heat is, is terrible. And we've got to, we've got to correct all of these things. But a peace deal corrects it. And the president is focused on that peace deal. It's a very, very important, important part of his agenda from a foreign Policy standpoint.

[B]

But do you think Putin is there or is he just dragging negotiations on for the sake of it?

[A]

I think that they've asked for the meeting. The Russians have invited us to come, and that's a significant statement from them. And Carol was here yesterday and working on this with us. So I think everybody is embedded in the process and wants to see a peace deal happen.

[B]

If we do not get to a peace deal, what does the toolkit look like in terms of potentially more punishments on Russia? I know I spoke to a lot of CEOs which said it was a pretty big deal. The President went after Luke Oil and Roy Snaft. What other measures you think we could see?

[A]

Well, if a peace deal happens.

[B]

If it doesn't happen.

[A]

Oh, if it doesn't happen. Okay. Well, we've sanctioned them quite a bit, and I'm not sure what the President's game plan would be if it doesn't happen. I think if it doesn't happen, a lot depends on who he thinks is responsible for it not happening. Right now. We have people working together. We're trying to build consensus, we're trying to build unanimity of opinion. We've sent an invitation out to President Putin to join the, the Board of Peace. The same thing with President Zelensky. So let's hope. I want to. I want to choose to be an optimist here. I think we're going to get a positive response from both. I believe that if there is a.

[B]

Peace agreement, what are you hearing from corporate America and even European CEOs about rebuilding Ukraine and even going back and doing business in Russia? All of them had a presence there and then they fled at the start of the war.

[A]

We have told Ukraine that we think that their GDP, their economy can triple over the next 10 years. That's, that's an assessment, by the way, by BlackRock, who, who is working on this, and Larry Fink is here now. They have done an exceptional job, by the way, with our, with our staff, but we have told them that the sky's the limit for their economy. And we believe that. I think that's the secret. That could be the secret sauce here. Not just a peace deal, but aspirationally, a better world and a better life for the Ukrainian people who have sacrificed so much and for the Russian people as well.

[B]

I want to also ask you about your other big focus, which of course is the Middle east and what is going on with Iran. Have you had back channel discussions with the Iranians, either directly or through the Omanis?

[A]

Well, the president has indicated that there have been some discussions and that's what resulted in the Iranian statement that the killings will stop.

[B]

Do you believe them? The killings will stop?

[A]

Well, there's been a lot of killings, and it's been horrific, and that's terribly unfortunate and. Horrific. That's a good word because it is horrific. These people were defenseless. They were just coming out into the street saying, we want to change. You shouldn't be killed for, for expressing a viewpoint that you want changes. So Iran, Iran needs to change its ways. They need to do that. And if they do, if they indicate that they're willing to do that, I think we can diplomatically settle this.

[B]

Have you gotten the sense from this outreach that that is the path, they want to solve this in a diplomatic way?

[A]

We don't have that sense yet. We want. Would have. I mean, I think their foreign minister was supposed to be here, couldn't come, or was. Was even maybe disinvited. I'm not sure I was actually looking.

[B]

It would be appropriate for him to come here, given the level of killings.

[A]

Well, I was looking forward to meeting him because I think it's. We need to build that communication channel. We have to, because the alternative to that is not a good alternative.

[B]

Do you have plans? I know you're going to Moscow. Then you said you're going to go to the United Arab Emirates.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Do you have plans to potentially meet the Iranian foreign minister in the next few weeks or months?

[A]

We don't have a plan, but we. I think we're moving in a direction where we could have that conversation if they're willing to have that conversation.

[B]

I just want to end on what a year it's been. You're literally at the epicenter of massive seismic geopolitical shifts. You were very successful when it comes to Gaza. You're now dealing with a very hot topic when it comes to Iran. These negotiations continue to grind on. On Ukraine. What has been so, so challenging?

[A]

Well, first of all, we have a great administration. We have an amazing team. We have the ultimate boss, President Trump, and he sets the table for all of us. But Marco Rubio has been amazing, too. I get to work with the State Department with an incredible array of talented people. And my job is now made even more easier because Jared is and I are doing so much together. So the president is focused on solutions. He's focused on cleaning up all these conflicts. He independently has settled eight wars, and now we're on a path to settle all the rest of them. And I, you know, I'M proud to work for the administration. I tell the President all the time, this is the greatest. These are the great moments of my life.

[B]

You don't struggle to give back. You're preparing for an invasion of Greenland, though, so it sounds like potentially that could be solved here at Davos. Could you tell us what the President's going to say?

[A]

Well, I don't know what he's going to say, and I wouldn't presume to speak for him, but I think what he's going to tell. I think his feeling is that this is a strategic asset and we have to make sure it's defended, and Denmark cannot defend it in an adequate. In an adequate way as compared to how the United States can defend it.

[B]

And just for logistics, as far as you're concerned, the President looks to be maybe on time now. Catching up some speed?

[A]

I think so.

[B]

Ok.

[A]

I think so.

[B]

We look forward to a speech. We thank you for your time.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

You're incredibly busy. Tons of negotiations on the sideline here at the World Economic Forum. Of course. That was the President's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.