US President Donald Trump has announced the dispatch of special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with a new proposal aimed at ending the four-year-old war in Ukraine. The announcement, made Friday, marks Washington's latest diplomatic push to break the deadlock in the conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Envoys to Meet Putin and Zelensky
According to reports, Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday before traveling to Kyiv on Sunday for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Kremlin has declined to comment on the visit.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed optimism about the mission. "I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They've done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we'll do it," Trump said. "They're bringing with them a proposal to end the war," he added.
No Details on Territorial Concessions
When asked if the proposal would require Ukraine to cede territory, Trump refrained from giving specifics, stating only: "We have an idea for peace." The visit marks the first time Witkoff and Kushner have traveled to Kyiv since Trump returned to office with a pledge to resolve the conflict. Both envoys have previously engaged in diplomatic efforts in Moscow, as well as negotiations concerning ceasefires in Gaza and Iran.
Escalation in Strikes
The renewed diplomatic momentum comes amid an escalation in long-range missile and drone strikes between Russia and Ukraine. Hours prior to Trump's announcement, a Russian drone strike hit the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security service in central Kyiv. Zelensky noted that the attack targeted the office of the agency's acting chief, marking the first direct strike on the SBU headquarters since the war began.
Following the strike, Zelensky proposed a temporary ceasefire covering the duration of the US delegation's trip. "There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire — without its own airstrikes — for the duration needed to conduct these talks," Zelensky said in his evening address.
Casualties and Diplomatic Activity
Shortly after, local authorities in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region reported that a Russian strike killed four people and injured five in the city of Kamianske. Moscow has not issued an official response to the ceasefire proposal.
The visit follows recent high-level diplomatic activity, including a trip to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and the attendance of the Russian finance minister at a G20 gathering in North Carolina.
