Witkoff, Kushner Fly From Moscow To Kyiv For Peace Talks

President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner will arrive in Kyiv on Sunday to meet Ukrainian officials after a day‑long meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The two U.S. envoys flew from Moscow, where they discussed possible steps to end the war in eastern Ukraine, and will now travel to the capital to continue negotiations with the Ukrainian leadership.

The visit comes as the war that began in February 2022 has entered a new phase. Ukraine’s army has made gains in the east and the United States has stepped up military and economic support. Trump’s outreach signals that the former president still sees a role for himself in shaping the conflict’s outcome. The U.S. has been a key backer of Ukraine, providing billions in aid, while Russia has sought a negotiated settlement to reduce pressure on its economy and military. The meeting in Moscow was the first time the two sides have spoken in person since the war began, raising hopes that a diplomatic breakthrough might be possible.

In Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner met with Putin and senior aides to discuss a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges and a timetable for a political settlement. Putin said he was open to a “mutual withdrawal” of forces, while the U.S. advisers emphasized that any agreement must include a guarantee that Ukraine can defend itself. Ukrainian officials, who are expected to meet the envoys in Kyiv, have called for a comprehensive ceasefire that also addresses the status of Crimea and the rights of Russian‑speaking minorities. The U.S. has warned that any deal must not undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

After the Kyiv meeting, the envoys will brief the U.S. administration and work with Washington’s national security team to shape a potential agreement. If a deal is reached, it could lead to a reduction in hostilities and a shift in the war’s dynamics. The outcome will be closely watched by NATO, the European Union and the United Nations, all of which have urged a peaceful resolution. The next few days will determine whether the Trump‑led initiative can translate into a credible ceasefire or if the conflict will continue to simmer on the front lines.