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Trump Envoys Head to Kyiv After Three-Hour Kremlin Talks with Putin

Kushner and Witkoff secure 72-hour pause on strikes against capitals; White House hints at announcement in coming weeks

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By LineZotpaper
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Sources5 outlets
U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are set to land in Kyiv on Sunday for their first visit to the Ukrainian capital, following three hours of closed-door talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow that both sides described as constructive. The White House says the envoys discussed "substantive plans for next steps" and that an announcement on ending the war is expected in the coming weeks.

Two of President Donald Trump's top envoys are hoping for "equally productive meetings" in Ukraine after holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, U.S. officials said.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to land in Kyiv on Sunday, having "discussed substantive plans for next steps" with Putin, according to the White House. It will be the first trip by Trump's top negotiators to Ukraine's capital since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Trump told reporters on Friday the pair were "bringing with them a proposal to end the war." Details of the proposal remain undisclosed, but both sides have given broadly positive remarks without going into specifics.

Saturday's talks in Moscow lasted three hours and were held behind closed doors in Putin's official residence, according to Russian state media. Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov described the talks as "constructive, extremely frank."

"The talks were not limited to an exchange of views on resolving the Ukrainian crisis — economic issues and potential major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects were discussed in considerable detail," Ushakov said. He also noted "the Russian army's tangible advances in the combat zone" and that the talks needed to address "the root causes of the conflict."

Ahead of the envoys' arrival, Putin authorized a 72-hour pause on strikes against Kyiv, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to halt strikes on Moscow for three days, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry…

Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia had fired "demonstrative" strikes on airports in Kyiv and Boryspil overnight ahead of his planned meeting with the U.S. "Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the US side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine and land at Kyiv Airport or Boryspil Airport," he said.

Ukraine's airspace has been closed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Despite the pause in strikes on capitals, the broader conflict continues.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The first direct U.S. envoys visit to Kyiv signals a potential shift in diplomatic momentum after months of stalled negotiations.
  • A 72-hour pause on strikes against capitals opens a narrow window for face-to-face talks, but does not halt hostilities on the front lines.
  • The involvement of Trump's son-in-law and a special envoy suggests the White House is prioritizing a personal diplomacy track alongside official channels.

Background

These talks come after more than 18 months of war following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous U.S. and allied efforts to broker a peace deal have failed to produce a breakthrough. Kushner and Witkoff have traveled to Moscow multiple times since Trump returned to office, but this is their first visit to Kyiv. Delegations from Ukraine have attended talks in the U.S. over the past year and a half.

Key Perspectives

The White House: Views the Moscow talks as constructive and productive, with substantive plans discussed. Expects an announcement in the coming weeks. Russia (Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov): Described talks as "constructive, extremely frank" and highlighted Russian military advances. Stressed need to address "root causes" of the conflict and discussed broader economic cooperation. Ukraine (President Zelensky): Expressed readiness for "a substantive conversation" but accused Russia of "demonstrative" strikes on airports ahead of the visit, suggesting Russia is trying to influence the talks.

What to Watch

  • The content of the U.S. proposal for ending the war, expected in the coming weeks.
  • Whether the 72-hour pause on capital strikes is extended or leads to a broader ceasefire.
  • Any shift in U.S. negotiating stance on territorial concessions or security guarantees.

Sources

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Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

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