U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner made their first official visit to Ukraine, meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after more than three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Zelenskyy said Russian strikes prevented the envoys from flying directly into Kyiv, forcing them to enter by train. A temporary pause on strikes against Kyiv and Moscow during the mission was reported, but fighting continued elsewhere, according to The Zioneer.
U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday, wrapping up their first official peace mission with visits to both Moscow and Kyiv in a single trip. The meeting came after more than three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, during which Putin ordered a three-day halt to strikes on Kyiv, according to The Zioneer's Sep 5 report.
Zelensky said Russian strikes prevented the envoys from flying directly into Kyiv, despite Ukraine preparing two airports for their arrival, forcing the delegation to enter by train. A temporary pause on strikes against Kyiv was reported during the diplomatic mission, but fighting continued on other frontlines. After the Kyiv meeting, Witkoff described the first round of talks as "very encouraging" and "substantive and important," while Kushner said the delegation expects "further progress."
The mission follows months of diplomatic groundwork. As The Zioneer reported: On Jul 22, Zelensky spoke with Witkoff and Kushner about renewing diplomatic efforts; on Jul 28, Trump hosted Zelensky at the White House to discuss air defense and peace efforts; on Jul 31, Trump told the Financial Times the envoys would visit Ukraine in the coming days; and on Sep 5, Putin ordered a three-day pause in strikes on Kyiv as the envoys landed in Moscow. The extent to which the temporary strike pause can be broadened into a wider cessation of hostilities remains open.
4 developments
- DevelopingZelensky says he spoke with US envoys Witkoff, Kushner on renewing diplomatic efforts
- DevelopingZelensky says Ukraine transferred peace plan proposals to US representatives
- DevelopingTrump tells FT envoys Witkoff, Kushner will visit Ukraine in coming days
- StrongZelensky says Trump decided to grant Ukraine Patriot missile production licenses
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