U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow and Kiev this weekend to commence what is reported to be negotiations over the Ukraine war, for the first time since earlier talks were suspended in February. President Donald Trump claimed on Sep. 4 that the envoys would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and then travel to Ukraine, reported the Washington Times. Axios carried a similar story, citing U.S. officials as saying the two would meet Putin on Sep. 5 and Ukrainian leader Zelensky on Sep. 6. Witkoff and Kushner reportedly met Trump at the White House on Sep. 3 to discuss the trip.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov implicitly confirmed the visit during his Friday briefing to reporters. When asked about news of the visit, he replied: “I wouldn’t announce anything, but once these contacts take place, we will inform you,” reported TASS. He further said that, despite President Putin’s statement that there is a chance for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, “there are no concrete prerequisites yet, unfortunately. Work is continuing, and contacts are continuing.” Nonetheless, Russia remains ready “to transition to a peaceful settlement and to a peaceful approach to achieving our goals remains.”
