Witkoff, Kushner Arrive in Moscow, Sources Say

Special U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner touched down in Moscow on Saturday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, accompanied by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev. The trio were escorted from Moscow's governmental airport to the city by motorcade, according to a Reuters witness. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that President Vladimir Putin planned to meet Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin later on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a new proposal to bring an end to the five-year conflict, though he did not specify the details. Dmitriev, who has maintained communication with U.S. negotiators throughout a recent lull in Russia visits, participated in all previous meetings with Putin alongside foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov. He also played a part in negotiating U.S. sanction exemptions for Russian oil this year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday that Witkoff and Kushner would travel to Ukraine the following day following their Moscow visit. He took to social media to claim that Russia had targeted two Ukrainian airports prior to the envoys' arrival in Kyiv. Peskov informed the Kremlin's Max app that Putin had ordered a three-day truce beginning at midnight on Saturday, specifically for Moscow's City Day celebrations.

Despite the ongoing tensions, a Kremlin insider stated that Putin remained committed to capturing more territory. According to this source, Putin believed that securing the remaining part of the Donetsk region would lead to reaching an agreement on the front line by the end of the year. However, Western military analysts dismissed this possibility, citing the slow pace of Moscow's progress.

Ukraine is unwilling to cede the land it has successfully defended, deeming such terms tantamount to surrender. The Kremlin maintains its unyielding stance that Ukraine should cede the entire territory of four claimed regions and abandon its NATO aspirations.

The conflict has intensified since the last peace talks in February, with both sides launching long-range air attacks on each other's soil, as well as escalating naval warfare. Ground forces have shown minimal advancement, with Russia slowly pushing towards Ukraine's Donbas region. Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries have caused fuel shortages and price hikes for motorists, while targeted attacks on major online retailers have impacted the consumer economy.

On Friday, a Russian drone attack struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security service in Kyiv, marking the 10th consecutive day of heavy attacks on the capital.

Zelensky expressed the immense difficulties faced by Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office recently classified The Moscow Times as an 'undesirable' organization, potentially leading to prosecution for its journalists. The paper, which has been labeled a 'foreign agent,' continues to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

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