Witkoff, Kushner make first Kyiv trip for peace talks — SkimNews
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for diplomatic talks aimed at resuming Russia-Ukraine negotiations — marking their first visit to Ukraine despite months of shuttle diplomacy and multiple trips to Russia.
- The envoys traveled to Kyiv immediately after a three-hour meeting with Putin in Moscow on Saturday, where a Russian official said 'Kushner and Witkoff are making an effort, and we are making progress.'
- Zelensky discussed Ukrainian preparations for continuing the war through the winter with the envoys, while Witkoff and Kushner stressed they want a breakthrough before winter, according to a source familiar with the meetings.
- Trump's envoys met twice with Zelensky and his senior advisers, and national security advisers from the U.K., France, and Germany joined a third meeting, signaling European involvement in the diplomatic push.
- A White House official said Witkoff, Kushner and Putin discussed 'plans for next steps, which will be announced in the coming weeks' — pointing to a near-term timeline for any deal.
- The Sunday visit was the highest-level U.S. trip to Ukraine since Trump began his second term, according to Axios.
Why it matters: After months of Moscow-only shuttle diplomacy, Witkoff and Kushner's first Kyiv trip produced positive readouts from both Washington and Moscow, with a White House official saying 'plans for next steps' will be announced 'in the coming weeks.' National security advisers from the U.K., France, and Germany joined a third meeting, meaning European capitals retain input as any deal takes shape before winter.
Ask SkimNews
