US Envoys Witkoff, Kushner Arrive in Kiyv After Putin Talks

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv on Sunday to engage in peace talks with Russia following their recent discussions with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The trip was part of renewed efforts to end the ongoing conflict that has been raging for four and a half years. With Ukraine's airspace currently closed due to the fighting, the US delegation arrived by train from Poland, after spending over three hours in talks with the Russian leader the previous day.

Putin had declared a three-day ceasefire to ensure the envoys' safety during their visit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously expressed readiness for a "constructive" discussion with the US in a social media post, stating that Ukraine is eager for an end to the war, security guarantees, and a just and sustainable postwar peace. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany also sent national security advisors to Kyiv for talks with the US envoys, according to a Reuters source.

Despite the positive atmosphere surrounding the talks between the US envoys and Putin, the Russian leader did not announce any outcomes from the meetings. His foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described the discussions as constructive, frank, and useful but did not disclose specific results. The talks also focused on economic matters and potential large Russia-US projects.

Ukraine's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, anticipated that the fighting would continue for many months beyond the ceasefire, with no end expected before spring 2027. He also predicted further Russian strategic air strikes on Ukraine during the winter. The war has intensified recently, with Putin aiming for the complete annexation of the Donetsk People's Republic and Russian drones targeting Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

In response, Ukraine has targeted Russia's energy sector and online retailers within the country to bring the conflict closer to the public.