Kushner and Witkoff Meet Zelenskiy Amid Renewed Diplomatic Push
US peace envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Sunday as the Trump administration renewed its push to end Russia’s war in Ukraine . This marks the first official visit to Ukraine by the two envoys, who have previously traveled to Moscow several times in their mediation roles .
The envoys arrived in Kyiv by train from Poland, as Ukraine’s airspace remains closed, a day after holding three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday . Putin described the Moscow meeting as “highly useful,” though it did not appear to produce an immediate breakthrough . White House officials indicated that next steps would be announced in the coming weeks .
Ukraine’s Position and European Participation
Ahead of the envoys’ arrival, Zelenskiy said he had held a preparatory meeting with his negotiating team and stressed Ukraine’s commitment to peace .
“Security guarantees are needed. A dignified post-war peace is needed. Our proposals have been drawn up,” Zelenskiy posted on social media .
National security advisers from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were also reportedly in Kyiv on Sunday to participate in the broader diplomatic effort . European allies are seen as crucial partners in providing the security guarantees Ukraine seeks to deter future Russian aggression .
Stalled Peace Efforts and Key Divisions
Previous rounds of US-mediated peace talks have yielded few results . President Donald Trump suggested Friday the US had a fresh proposal for peace but declined to elaborate on details, including whether the plan would involve Ukraine ceding territory .
Significant differences between Moscow and Kyiv remain, particularly over the future of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. Russia has demanded Ukraine withdraw from areas it still controls there, a demand Kyiv has rejected .
A temporary halt in strikes on Kyiv and Moscow was observed during the diplomatic visits , but fighting continued along the front lines . Despite the lack of announced breakthroughs, residents of Kyiv expressed cautious optimism .
