US President Donald Trump’s top negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Washington intensifies diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for high-level talks aimed at finding a possible path toward ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian state media released video showing Putin greeting Witkoff and Kushner during their visit, as the Trump administration steps up efforts to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump told reporters on Friday that the two envoys were travelling with a proposal designed to help bring the conflict to an end.
“Bringing with them a proposal to end the war,” Trump said, describing the purpose of the delegation’s Moscow visit.
The latest diplomatic push comes after previous attempts by the United States and its allies to secure a lasting peace agreement failed to produce a breakthrough.
Following their meetings in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to Kyiv on Sunday for further discussions with Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had already spoken with the US envoys and confirmed that preparations for their meetings in Kyiv were underway.
Zelensky said the US team had already begun discussions with the Russian side and that Ukraine was ready for substantive diplomatic engagement.
“The plan for tomorrow’s diplomatic engagements in Kyiv, involving the US team, has been approved,” Zelensky said.
He added that Ukraine was prepared to continue diplomatic efforts and was awaiting the arrival of Witkoff and Kushner.
As the US delegation conducts its diplomatic mission, Russia and Ukraine have indicated they will halt strikes against each other’s capitals for three days.
Zelensky said Ukraine would refrain from attacks on Moscow through Saturday, Sunday and Monday, while expecting Russia to observe a similar pause involving Kyiv.
Russian state media separately reported that Putin had ordered a temporary halt to strikes against Kyiv for three days during the US delegation’s visit.
The temporary pause could provide a window for diplomatic discussions and potentially reduce the risk of military escalation while the negotiations take place.
Zelensky Raises Concerns Over Airport Strikes
Despite the reported pause, Zelensky said Russia had carried out what he described as “demonstrative” strikes against airports in Kyiv and Boryspil overnight.
The Ukrainian president suggested the strikes could have been linked to preparations for a possible visit by the US delegation.
According to Zelensky, the attacks appeared to be a response to discussions about the possibility of a US aircraft travelling to Ukraine and landing at Kyiv Airport or Boryspil Airport.
Ukraine has kept its airspace closed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, making any potential journey by air particularly sensitive and logistically challenging.
First US Envoy Talks in Ukraine
Witkoff and Kushner have travelled to Russia several times as part of the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts.
However, their planned meetings in Ukraine would mark their first visit to the country for these peace talks.
US news outlet Axios reported that the American envoys were expected to hold separate meetings with both Putin and Zelensky as Washington attempts to bridge the differences between Moscow and Kyiv.
It remains unclear how the US delegation will travel from Moscow to Kyiv, given Ukraine’s continued closure of its airspace.
The latest meetings represent another major diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to end the war that has continued since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Washington is attempting to bring both sides toward negotiations despite major disagreements over territory, security guarantees and the conditions of any potential ceasefire.
The meetings between Putin, Witkoff and Kushner could provide an important indication of whether Moscow is prepared to consider the latest US proposal.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has signalled that it is ready to engage with the American delegation, although Kyiv continues to demand meaningful security assurances and a durable peace agreement.
The coming days could therefore prove crucial for determining whether the latest Ukraine peace talks can produce a breakthrough after months of diplomatic efforts.
