In brief
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will tour Moscow and Kyiv this weekend, signaling President Donald Trump’s renewed push for peace in the Ukraine conflict. President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to hold talks with the envoys after their Moscow stopover, in hopes of bridging the deep gulf between the two sides. Earlier this week, a Russian drone strike on the office of Ukraine’s security chief Oleksandr Poklad added urgency to the negotiations. While Moscow insists on a temporary ceasefire that could allow further territorial concessions, Kyiv deems the Kremlin’s demands too sweeping. The overarching question remains how, or whether, the United States can influence a durable resolution to the war.
Jared Kushner, the former president’s son‑in‑law, and Steve Witkoff are set to visit Moscow on Saturday and Kyiv on Sunday as the United States looks to shore up its role in attempting to reconcile the two sides of the war.
President Zelensky confirmed he will meet the envoys after their Moscow stop‑over to speak with President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier on Friday, a Russian drone reportedly struck the office of Ukraine’s security chief Oleksandr Poklad in Kyiv, but the veteran officer was unharmed.
The truce efforts remain uncertain as both parties demand significant concessions: Kyiv deems the Kremlin’s demands excessive, while Moscow insists on a “temporary ceasefire” that provides for further Russian gains.
Putin said there were chances a peace deal could be reached, insisting that Moscow and Kyiv must agree among themselves before any external mediation could be deployed.
