U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, September 6, before traveling to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, according to multiple reports citing U.S. officials and anonymous sources.
The envoys, who have led U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal, will make their first visit to Kyiv since Trump’s return to office. Their trip follows recent statements from both Putin and Zelensky regarding potential negotiations, though significant gaps remain between the warring sides.
Putin’s recent remarks suggested cautious optimism about a peace deal, stating on September 3 that there were "chances" for an agreement but emphasizing that Moscow and Kyiv must first agree on terms. However, he reiterated Russia’s maximalist demands, including further territorial concessions from Ukraine, which Kyiv and its European allies have rejected as tantamount to capitulation.
Zelensky’s office confirmed on September 3 that tentative dates had been set for the envoys’ visit to Kyiv, describing the meetings as "very important" and expressing readiness for substantive discussions. On September 5, Zelensky reported that a Russian drone struck the office of Ukraine’s security chief Oleksandr Poklad in Kyiv, though Poklad was unharmed. Zelensky ordered a measured response, instructing Poklad to act "adequately" to the attack.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm the envoys’ travel plans but indicated that contacts were underway to finalize the visit. Russian state news agency TASS reported that the envoys were expected to arrive in Moscow and Kyiv on September 5–6, though Peskov stated that any announcements would come only after the meetings take place.
Background and Context
The envoys’ trip follows their January 2025 meeting with Putin in the Kremlin, which lasted four hours and extended late into the night. Their previous visits to Moscow have drawn scrutiny, with some critics arguing that such engagements lend legitimacy to Putin’s diplomatic posture while Ukraine continues to face military pressure.
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko stated that the envoys were expected in Kyiv on Sunday, immediately after their Moscow meetings. The timing of the trip has raised questions about whether the U.S. delegation can bridge the divide between Russia’s demands and Ukraine’s refusal to cede territory.
Putin’s Statements and Russia’s Position
Putin’s recent comments at an international economic forum framed negotiations as contingent on mutual agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, though he provided no indication of softening Russia’s stance. The Kremlin has not outlined concrete preconditions for talks, describing ongoing contacts as part of an effort to establish a framework for negotiations.
Ukraine’s Stance and Recent Developments
Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to a "just resolution" of the war, now in its fourth year and six months. His government has framed the envoys’ visit as an opportunity for substantive dialogue, though the recent drone strike underscores the persistent tensions on the ground. Ukrainian officials have stressed that any peace deal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
U.S. Role and Diplomatic Efforts
Kushner and Witkoff have been central to Trump’s diplomatic outreach, with their visits to Moscow and Kyiv representing a renewed push for negotiations. The U.S. has not publicly confirmed the envoys’ travel plans, and the White House has not responded to requests for comment. The last confirmed U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine occurred in Geneva in February 2025, shortly before unrelated geopolitical developments shifted global attention.
The envoys’ trip comes amid ongoing discussions about the feasibility of a negotiated settlement, with both sides maintaining hardened positions. While the meetings may signal a potential thaw in diplomatic efforts, the fundamental disagreements over territory and sovereignty remain unresolved.