In brief
The United States has dispatched former President Donald Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner and former National Security Adviser Steve Witkoff to Moscow and Kyiv this weekend, a move aimed at reigniting dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he will meet the envoys in Kyiv on Sunday after their Saturday talks with Vladimir Putin. Amid a drone strike on the Ukrainian security chief’s office, both sides have pledged to keep their airspace safe, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov promised to report any meetings. Putin echoed the possibility of a peace deal but insisted sovereignty demands could still mean territorial concessions, a stance that Kyiv and its allies have rejected. The envoy visits, marking the first time the pair has entered Ukraine, come at a time when the war has decimated roughly 20% of the country’s land.
US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will travel from Moscow to Kyiv over the weekend, a fresh push that could finally crack the stalemate in the Ukraine conflict. Their itinerary begins Saturday in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin, followed by Sunday in Ukraine for a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky confirmed on social media that he will host the envoys in Kyiv, after a Russian drone struck his security chief’s office. The Ukrainian security service is reportedly unharmed, but the incident has heightened tensions and underscored the need for safe airspace on both sides.
Both Kushner and Witkoff have toured Russia multiple times. However, this will be the first time they are in Ukraine to conduct talks directly with the local leadership. Their presence signals that Washington is still eager to broker a deal, despite the gulf between Moscow’s demands and Ukraine’s resolve.
The Kremlin has indicated it will announce the outcomes of any meetings, but its spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm details. Meanwhile, Putin told an international economic forum that “there are chances” for a peace agreement, though he stressed that Moscow and Kyiv must first come to an agreement.
Despite public rhetoric, Putin’s demands for significant territorial concessions remain steadfast, a position Kyiv and its European allies have repeatedly rejected as untenable. The war that began in February 2022 has now claimed considerable territory, with Russia controlling roughly 20% of Ukraine.
