Trump’s envoys arrive in Moscow for Russia-Ukraine peace push

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday to engage in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, marking a significant effort to resolve the ongoing conflict. President Donald Trump sent the two negotiators to Moscow ahead of a potential visit to Kyiv, aiming to break the diplomatic stalemate in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russia was attempting to disrupt the envoys' visit with overnight strikes on Kyiv's two airports and a civilian target in the Dnipro region, killing five people. Zelensky assured there would be no threats to diplomacy from Ukraine, emphasizing they would not retaliate with airstrikes during the envoys' trip.

This marks the first time that Witkoff and Kushner, both experienced negotiators, would travel to Kyiv since Trump took office, as Ukrainian airspace has been closed since 2022 due to the war. The envoys are expected to arrive in Kyiv on Sunday, with discussions potentially continuing with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday.

Trump stated that the negotiators would evaluate the potential for progress towards peace, hinting at a proposal to end the war. However, he did not disclose whether the plan might involve Ukraine ceding territory, a previous suggestion. The U.S. president affirmed they had an idea for peace but declined to detail it further. The renewed diplomatic push follows intense long-range attacks between Russia and Ukraine, resulting in high civilian casualties not seen since the conflict's inception.

Following the envoys' announcement, Russia struck Ukraine's SBU security service headquarters in Kyiv, Ukraine's first such attack since the war began. Zelensky called for a ceasefire during the envoys' visit, but Russia did not respond to the proposal. The visit by Witkoff and Kushner follows a rare trip to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who warned Russia against attacking NATO members.

The U.S. also welcomed Russia's finance minister at a G20 gathering in North Carolina earlier this week.