MOSCOW – US Representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner Arrive in Moscow for Peace Talks
On Saturday, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner touched down in Moscow with the aim of finding a solution to the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted over four years.
Following their discussions in Moscow, the two will proceed to Kyiv as part of the latest efforts by Washington to break the deadlock in one of Europe’s most serious conflicts since World War II.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to undermine their mission, citing nighttime attacks on Kyiv’s airports and a civilian location in the Dnipro region, which tragically resulted in the deaths of five individuals. In a statement made on social media platform X, Zelensky remarked, “These Russian strikes on the airports seem to be a response to our discussions and preparations concerning the use of an aircraft by the US side to travel to Ukraine. There will be no diplomatic threats coming from us.”
This marks the first visit to war-stricken Kyiv for Witkoff and Kushner, associates of former President Donald Trump, since he returned to office last year with intentions to broker peace in the region. Given that Ukrainian airspace has been closed since 2022 due to ongoing warfare, it would be quite unusual for them to fly directly into Kyiv; most international visitors have taken trains instead.
According to a senior Ukrainian official, the envoys are expected to arrive in Kyiv on Sunday. Meanwhile, reports suggest that they would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on the same day.
Trump has remarked that the two negotiators are tasked with assessing whether there is a possibility for progress toward peace. Current efforts have stalled partly because of tensions related to Iran, while both Russia and Ukraine have ramped up long-range strikes, resulting in an alarming rise in civilian casualties.
“I’ve sent two outstanding negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to see if we can achieve something meaningful. There’s a good chance we might succeed,” Trump stated. “They are bringing a proposal to end the war with them.”
Although Trump refrained from detailing whether the plan involves Ukraine giving up land—something he has previously hinted at—he confirmed, “We have an idea for peace.”
Witkoff and Kushner, who have engaged in past negotiations regarding ceasefires in Gaza and Iran, have made numerous trips to Moscow in the pursuit of diplomacy.
Escalation of the Conflict
This renewed diplomatic effort arises amid escalating exchanges of missile and drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine. Just hours before Trump announced the emissaries’ mission, a Russian drone reportedly hit the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in central Kyiv, with Zelensky noting it was the first time the agency’s office had been targeted since the invasion began.
In response to these escalating tensions, President Zelensky proposed a temporary ceasefire with Russia during the US envoys’ visit. “We will not carry out airstrikes, and we expect Russia to reciprocate by ensuring a ceasefire, without its own airstrikes, for the duration of the talks,” he stated during an evening address. As of now, there has not been an official response from Russia regarding this proposal.
Shortly after Zelensky’s announcement, local officials in the southeastern city of Kamianske reported that a Russian strike had resulted in four deaths and five injuries.
Witkoff and Kushner’s mission comes more than a week after CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a rare visit to Moscow, warning Russia against any potential attacks on NATO member states, as reported by US media.
Earlier this week, US officials also welcomed the Russian Finance Minister at a G20 meeting in North Carolina, underscoring ongoing diplomatic engagements amid the conflict.
