Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that American negotiators mediating the conflict with Russia are expected to visit Kyiv and Moscow in the coming days.
Speaking in his nightly address, Zelensky said that preliminary dates have been set for the meetings. He stated that Ukrainian officials expect to meet representatives of US President Donald Trump in Kyiv shortly, describing the upcoming talks as very important.
The Ukrainian leader added that discussions are expected to take place in both Moscow and Kyiv as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war.
US Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
The envoys expected to travel to the region are Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who serve as representatives for Trump. Witkoff and Kushner have previously visited both Ukraine and Russia in attempts to facilitate peace negotiations between the two nations.
According to reporting shared by The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine expects Witkoff and Kushner to arrive in Kyiv in the coming days, with plans for the envoys to also visit Moscow for talks with Russian representatives.
Diplomatic Background and Context
Zelensky has served as the president of Ukraine since 2019, leading the country through the full scale conflict that began when Russian forces invaded Ukrainian territory in February 2022. Kyiv serves as the nation capital and administrative centre where foreign diplomatic delegations routinely meet with Ukrainian leadership.
Moscow, the capital of Russia, remains the central seat of government for Russian officials involved in negotiating bilateral or mediated peace agreements. Previous international mediation attempts have focused on establishing ceasefires and security guarantees between the warring parties.
Zelensky concluded his announcement by reiterating that Ukrainian officials are awaiting the arrival of the delegation in Kyiv, where formal discussions with the US envoys are set to begin once dates are finalised.
