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

On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced that he would dispatch envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Moscow and Kyiv with a proposal aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This marks the first time the president's son-in-law and a business associate have ventured to Kyiv since Trump assumed office last year, pledging to resolve the conflict.

Both US diplomats have previously journeyed to Moscow, leading to suspicions that they have aligned themselves with Russia in the negotiations. "They carry a proposal to conclude the war," Trump stated to reporters when inquired about their mission. He declined to disclose whether the plan entailed Ukraine surrendering territory, as he has previously hinted, but assured, "We have an idea for peace."

"I dispatched Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two exceptional negotiators. They have performed remarkably well, and I sent them to determine if we can achieve something. There might be a strong possibility that we will accomplish it," he added. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously suggested observing a cease-fire with Russia during the US envoys' visit to Moscow and Kyiv.

"There will be no airstrikes from our side, and Russia must reciprocate by ensuring a cease-fire, devoid of its own airstrikes, during the required duration for these discussions," Zelensky declared in his evening address. A senior Ukrainian official informed AFP that the two envoys would arrive in Kyiv on Sunday. The Kremlin declined to comment on the matter.

According to a report by Axios, Kushner and Witkoff are scheduled to depart on Friday, meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Saturday, and subsequently meet Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday. The duo have also participated in ceasefire talks for Gaza and Iran. Trump, in the Oval Office, downplayed Germany's accusation from earlier in the week that Russia was responsible for an attempted drone strike on an airport.

"I speak with him. I am very familiar with him. Putin does not intend to attack NATO territory," Trump remarked when an AFP reporter queried him about the German claim. Trump has consistently expressed skepticism regarding the continuation of support for Ukraine and engaged in a televised altercation with Zelensky in the Oval Office in February 2025.

With Putin, he has oscillated between friendly and frustrated relations. On Thursday, Trump indicated that he would request European nations to reimburse the financial aid provided to Ukraine under his predecessor Joe Biden's administration. Trump has long advocated for European nations to assume a greater portion of the expenses associated with Western support for Ukraine.