Ukraine war: Trump sends Witkoff, Kushner to Moscow, Kyiv for peace talks

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to send his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Russia and Ukraine as Washington steps up efforts to broker an end to the more than four-year conflict.

Trump said on Friday that the two negotiators would travel to Moscow and Kyiv carrying a proposal aimed at ending the war, in the latest US attempt to overcome the diplomatic deadlock surrounding Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

A senior Ukrainian official said Witkoff and Kushner were expected to arrive in Kyiv on Sunday.

According to US outlet Axios, the pair are scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday before travelling to Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. The Kremlin has declined to comment on the reported visits.

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Speaking to reporters, Trump said the envoys would assess whether there was a realistic opportunity to advance peace negotiations.

“I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They’ve done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we’ll do it,” Trump said.

“They’re bringing with them a proposal to end the war,” he added.

Trump did not disclose whether the proposal would require Ukraine to surrender territory, an option he has previously raised, but said Washington had developed a possible pathway towards peace.

“We have an idea for peace,” the US president said.

The planned trip would mark the first visit to Kyiv by Witkoff and Kushner since Trump returned to the White House last year after pledging to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end.

Both envoys have played roles in previous US diplomatic efforts, including negotiations involving ceasefires in Gaza and Iran.

Witkoff has also made several trips to Moscow as part of Washington’s previous attempts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

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