US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow on September 5-6 and are set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on September 6 to push a new peace deal aimed at ending the more than four-year conflict in Ukraine [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. This marks their first visit to Kyiv since the war started, though they have made previous trips to Moscow [1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 6, 8].
The envoys carry a new peace proposal reportedly including potential security guarantees for Ukraine and an initial ceasefire, a plan former President Donald Trump said has a "good chance that we'll do it" [3, 4, 8, 11]. Trump added, however, that "President Zelenskyy and President Putin truly hate each other," posing an obstacle to progress [8].
In Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev upon arrival [1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9]. Putin has publicly stated that peace is possible if Moscow and Kyiv reach agreement, but Russian officials remain pessimistic about the visit’s prospects, maintaining demands for Ukraine to cede all claimed territories and abandon NATO ambitions [1, 2, 5, 6, 9]. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said they would inform the public when talks take place but declined further comment [1].
Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed the envoys’ visit and called the meetings "very important," with dates tentatively set for early September [1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 6]. The conflict has left Russia in control of approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, with the war ongoing for over four years [1, 3, 4, 7, 8].
Tensions remain high. Russian drone strikes targeted Kyiv’s SBU security service headquarters on September 4 and again shortly before the envoys’ arrival, signaling ongoing hostilities. [1, 6, 8]
President Trump described Witkoff and Kushner as "two great negotiators" sent to test if a peace deal can be reached amid deep animosity between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders [3, 8]. The envoys’ visits continue over the weekend, with meetings in Kyiv scheduled for September 6.
The outcome of the talks remains uncertain as both sides have entrenched positions, but the envoys aim to open dialogue on ending the conflict after more than four years of war.
