Trump says envoys taking plan to 'end the war' to Moscow, Kyiv

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is dispatching envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Moscow and Kyiv with a proposal to bring an end to the four-year conflict in Ukraine. This will be the first visit to Kyiv for both envoys since Trump took office last year, with a promise to resolve the ongoing struggle. Both Kushner and Witkoff have previously traveled to Moscow, leading to speculations that they have aligned with Russia during negotiations.

In response to the trip, Trump assured reporters that the envoys carry a peace plan, though he did not disclose the specifics. He emphasized that the plan involves a potential territorial concession by Ukraine, a notion he has previously hinted at. The administration's leader blamed the war, which escalated after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, on a "personality problem" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy had previously offered to observe a ceasefire with Russia while the US envoys visit both Moscow and Kyiv. He stated that the US envoys would not conduct any airstrikes, and Russia must reciprocate by ensuring a ceasefire to allow for productive discussions. A Ukrainian official confirmed to AFP that the envoys would visit Kyiv on Sunday.

The Kremlin did not comment on the matter. According to Axios, the envoys are set to visit Putin at the Kremlin on Saturday before meeting Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday. Kushner and Witkoff have also been involved in ceasefire negotiations for Gaza and Iran.

Trump downplayed Germany's claim earlier in the week that Russia was responsible for a drone attack on an airport. He told a reporter that Putin is not interested in attacking NATO territory. Trump has long been doubtful about maintaining support for Ukraine and had a heated exchange with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office in February 2025.

His relationship with Putin has oscillated between cordiality and irritation. On Thursday, Trump announced that he plans to request European nations to reimburse the American aid provided to Ukraine during his predecessor Joe Biden's term. Trump has consistently urged Europeans to bear a larger share of the cost for Western support of Ukraine.