Behind the scenes of Gaza and Ukraine, Kushner emerges again And he never really left

Jared Kushner, former senior adviser to Donald Trump, has returned to the centre of US political and international affairs, despite previously pledging to stay out of government matters, Bloomberg reports.

Over recent months, he has played a key role in negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitating the release of hostages, and attempting to broker a peace deal over the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Kushner has met with leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also convening meetings with private sector figures such as BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and World Bank Chief Ajay Banga to explore economic support for post-war Ukraine. Observers say his involvement highlights a recurring pattern in Trump’s orbit: once close to power, influence rarely fades.

Alongside his diplomatic activity, Kushner continues to manage his private equity firm, Affinity Partners. The firm recently withdrew from a politically charged attempt to acquire parts of Warner Bros. Discovery, after initially supporting Paramount Skydance Corp.’s bid. Affinity had also been involved in funding other high-profile acquisitions, including video game company Electronic Arts. Critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, noting Kushner’s financial ties to Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds and other foreign investors.

During Trump’s first term, Kushner’s record was mixed. He helped negotiate the Abraham Accords, normalising relations between Israel and several Arab nations, but faced criticism over his relative inexperience, complex financial dealings, and the often unpredictable nature of his political initiatives. His previous tenure was also marked by controversies, including his relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

This time, Kushner appears to have narrowed his focus, concentrating on high-stakes international negotiations and economic reconstruction efforts. Trump has described him as an “informal, unpaid adviser” with trusted experience in complex negotiations, while Kushner himself has defended his dual role in diplomacy and private equity, framing his relationships and financial engagements as professional experience rather than conflicts of interest.

Kushner’s re-emergence underscores the continuing influence of former Trump advisers in his second term, combining private sector leverage with diplomatic initiatives. While questions about ethics and competence remain, his involvement in multiple high-profile deals demonstrates that, for Kushner, stepping away from the political arena has proven more difficult than anticipated.

By Aghakazim Guliyev