US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Russia and Ukraine this weekend as diplomatic efforts to end the war intensify. According to reports citing US officials, the envoys will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, followed by meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday.
Witkoff and Kushner, who have been leading the administration’s push for a peace agreement, have visited Russia numerous times. However, these upcoming discussions would mark their first trips to Ukraine. Axios reported the itinerary, while Russian state news agency Tass cited sources placing the visits on September 5-6. Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko confirmed the pair were anticipated in Kyiv on Sunday after their Moscow engagement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to officially confirm the details, telling reporters he would not announce specifics but stated that information would be provided when the contacts occurred. Earlier, Putin indicated at an international economic forum that there were “chances” for a deal, though he emphasized that Moscow and Kyiv must reach an agreement themselves. Despite this openness, the Russian president maintained his maximalist demands, which include further territorial concessions from Ukraine.
The diplomatic push comes amid continued hostility on the ground. On Friday, Zelensky reported that a Russian drone struck the office of Oleksandr Poklad, the head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), in Kyiv. Poklad appeared to be unharmed from the attack. Zelensky stated on social media that he had ordered Poklad to respond “adequately” to the incident.
A significant gap remains between the warring parties. Kyiv and its European allies have repeatedly rejected Putin’s terms, characterizing them as equivalent to capitulation. Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.
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