Trump’s Peace Envoys to Visit Moscow and Kyiv Over Weekend

US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Russia and Ukraine this weekend as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to broker an end to the war between Moscow and Kyiv.

Witkoff and Kushner are expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday before travelling to Ukraine, where they will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday.

Trump said the US representatives would carry a proposal aimed at ending the conflict, although significant disagreements remain between Russia and Ukraine over the terms of any potential peace agreement.

The planned meetings mark the first reported visit to Ukraine by the two negotiators. Witkoff and Kushner, who is Trump’s son-in-law, have travelled to Russia several times as part of Washington’s diplomatic efforts.

Zelensky confirmed that he would meet the US envoys and said arrangements would be made to ensure their safety during their visit. He also called on Russia to provide similar guarantees.

Russia’s state news agency Tass reported that Witkoff and Kushner were expected to arrive in Moscow before travelling to Kyiv between September 5 and 6. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to provide detailed confirmation, saying information would be released when the contacts take place.

The diplomatic efforts come as fighting continues across Ukraine.

On Friday, Zelensky said a Russian drone had struck the office of Oleksandr Poklad, head of Ukraine’s SBU security service, in Kyiv. Poklad was reportedly unharmed.

The following day, regional authorities reported that four people had been killed in a Russian strike on the south-eastern city of Kamianske. Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, said five other people were wounded in the attack.

Despite the ongoing violence, Putin has recently indicated that Moscow sees an opportunity for negotiations.

Speaking at an international economic forum on Thursday, the Russian president said there were chances of reaching a peace agreement. However, he maintained that Russia and Ukraine must first reach an understanding between themselves.

Putin also continued to demand significant concessions from Ukraine, including territorial changes. Kyiv and its European allies have rejected those conditions, arguing that accepting them would amount to surrender.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. More than four years into the conflict, Russian forces control roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

The upcoming meetings are therefore being closely watched for signs of progress towards a potential ceasefire or broader peace agreement. While Washington has expressed optimism about negotiations, the continuing military attacks and major differences over territory and security guarantees remain significant obstacles.