Trump’s peace envoys to visit Moscow and Kyiv over weekend, reports say
US President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are reportedly set to visit both Moscow and Kyiv this weekend as part of ongoing efforts to broker an end to the war in Ukraine. This would mark the first time the pair have held talks in Ukraine, having previously met Russian President Vladimir Putin multiple times without a corresponding visit to Kyiv, and comes as diplomatic momentum appears to be building despite a significant gap remaining between the two sides' positions.
According to Axios and Ukrainian officials, the envoys are expected to meet Putin in Moscow on Saturday before travelling to Kyiv on Sunday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, though the Kremlin has declined to confirm details. The visit follows Putin's comments that "there are chances" of a deal, while maintaining maximalist demands including further Ukrainian territorial concessions, which Kyiv and its European allies say amount to capitulation. The talks come against a backdrop of continued violence, including a Russian drone strike on the Kyiv office of Ukraine's security chief on Friday, with Russia currently controlling around 20% of Ukrainian territory since its full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
In short
- Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner to visit Moscow then Kyiv this weekend
- Would be their first talks held in Ukraine itself
- Putin says deal "chances" exist but keeps territorial demands
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of the visits can argue that sustained, direct engagement with both leaders may help identify terms for a ceasefire and reduce further loss of life. Meeting in Kyiv as well as Moscow could also give Ukraine a more direct role in the discussions and test whether the reported diplomatic momentum can produce workable proposals.
The case against
Critics can argue that talks risk lending legitimacy to Russia’s demands while it continues occupying Ukrainian territory and attacking Ukrainian targets. If Kyiv is pressed to concede territory without credible security guarantees or a fair basis for agreement, diplomacy could reward aggression and leave Ukraine vulnerable to renewed war.
Explained simply
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and now controls around a fifth of the country. The war has caused widespread destruction and displacement, while fighting and attacks continue.
The main leaders are Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. US President Donald Trump has tasked his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with helping negotiate an end to the war.
A central obstacle is territory: Moscow has demanded further Ukrainian concessions, while Kyiv and its European allies say those terms would undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. Any agreement could affect Ukraine’s borders and security, as well as wider relations between Russia, the US and Europe.
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