CNN: Trump envoys head to Moscow and Kyiv, but breakthrough remains unlikely

Donald Trump is sending Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, but a rapid diplomatic breakthrough remains unlikely, CNN reports.

Trump said the two envoys would travel to Russia and Ukraine to explore whether the conflict could be brought to an end. “I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They’ve done a great job, and we’re sending them to see if we can end the war. There’s a good chance we can,” he said at the White House.

The visits could take place as early as this weekend, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. Witkoff and Kushner have already visited Moscow, while their planned trip to Kyiv would be their first visit to Ukraine in the context of the current negotiating effort. Zelenskyy confirmed that the U.S. representatives planned to arrive in Kyiv on Sunday, after their Moscow visit.

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I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They’ve done a great job, and we’re sending them to see if we can end the war. There’s a good chance we can.

“Our goal is to meet and hold talks with the U.S. representatives that will be as constructive and substantive as possible. We need to look for realistic options to end the war,” Zelenskyy said. He also called on Russia to respect a ceasefire while the talks take place.

Despite describing the meetings as important, Zelenskyy has not created strong grounds for expecting a swift end to the war, CNN said. The central obstacle is the Kremlin’s position. Vladimir Putin has so far shown no willingness to give up the maximalist demands he has presented to Ukraine.

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Our goal is to meet and hold talks with the U.S. representatives that will be as constructive and substantive as possible. We need to look for realistic options to end the war.