Trump envoys arrive in Moscow for Russia-Ukraine peace push

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday carrying a US proposal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. After talks in Moscow, the two envoys were expected to travel to Kyiv in Washington’s latest effort to break a diplomatic stalemate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of trying to disrupt the visit with overnight strikes on Kyiv’s two airports and a civilian target in the Dnipro region that killed five people. “Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the US side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine,” Zelensky said on X. He added that there would be “no threats to diplomacy” from Ukraine.

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Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the US side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine.

A visit to Kyiv by plane would be highly unusual because Ukrainian airspace has been closed since 2022. Visiting leaders and officials have generally traveled by train. A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that the envoys were expected in Kyiv on Sunday, while Axios reported that they would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday.

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There will be no threats to diplomacy from our side.

Trump said the two negotiators would determine whether progress toward peace was possible. “I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They’ve done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we’ll do it,” he said. “They’re bringing with them a proposal to end the war.”

The president declined to say whether the plan included Ukraine giving up territory, as he has previously suggested, but said, “We have an idea for peace.” Witkoff and Kushner have taken part in earlier efforts involving ceasefires in Gaza and Iran and have made repeated trips to Moscow.

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I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They’ve done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we’ll do it.

The diplomatic initiative comes as Russia and Ukraine continue long-range missile and drone attacks. Hours before Trump announced the mission, Zelensky said a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in central Kyiv, targeting the office of its acting chief. Zelensky proposed a ceasefire during the envoys’ visit, but the article ends before reporting Russia’s response.

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They’re bringing with them a proposal to end the war.