Witkoff and Kushner arrive in Ukraine after Putin talks in push for peace

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Ukraine after a three-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, carrying a proposal that President Donald Trump says could help end the war.

The visit marked the first time the two envoys had travelled to Ukraine since Trump returned to office with a pledge to resolve the conflict. Before their arrival, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said security guarantees and peace were needed.

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Security guarantees and peace are needed.

A White House official said Witkoff and Kushner had discussed “substantive plans for next steps” with Putin, with announcements expected in the coming weeks. Trump said the envoys had “an idea for peace” and that “there may be a good chance that we’ll do it.”

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An idea for peace.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the American delegation had prepared seriously for the trip and had formulated ideas about possible paths to a settlement. He did not provide details. Ushakov said the talks also examined potential U.S.-Russia deals that could be mutually beneficial. During the meeting, Putin asked the envoys to pass on his warm wishes and gratitude to Trump, while describing the situation in Ukraine as “not simple.”

Russia and Ukraine agreed to pause strikes while the envoys were in the country for talks. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin had ordered a three-day halt to strikes against Kyiv in connection with the visit. Zelenskyy announced a corresponding halt to Ukrainian strikes until Monday.

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There may be a good chance that we’ll do it.

The White House delegation also thanked Putin for the release of Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old former U.S. Marine and teacher who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2022. Gilman returned home last month after his release. Global Reach, the organization that worked to free him, said he had been hospitalized in serious condition after allegedly suffering severe mistreatment.

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Not simple.