Witkoff, Kushner arrive in Ukraine for talks after 'substantive' meeting with Putin

President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine on Sunday, marking a renewed push from the White House for progress in ending Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. delegation arrived following talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Witkoff and Kushner reportedly discussed potential next steps toward a peace deal.

This marks the first visit by Witkoff and Kushner during the ongoing conflict. The pair arrived from Poland by train before being welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outside the Saint Sophia Cathedral. Zelenskyy had previously stated that Ukraine was open to a substantive conversation with the U.S. envoys, emphasizing the need for peace, security guarantees, and a dignified postwar order.

During their meeting with Putin in Moscow on Saturday, Witkoff and Kushner were informed of Russia's demand for Ukraine to accept neutrality, limit its military, and renounce NATO aspirations. Putin also highlighted Russia's military successes and expressed confidence in achieving its goals. Experts believe Putin's stance has hardened as Russia intensifies its air attacks on Ukraine.

Despite the meeting, skepticism remains among some Ukrainian officials, including Oleksandr Merezhko, who expressed little hope for a settlement. Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine continued their air strikes overnight into Sunday, with Ukraine reporting 108 drones and cruise missiles launched by Russia and 82 drones and six cruise missiles downed by Ukrainian air defenses.