Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly criticized the visit pattern of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have traveled to Moscow multiple times without visiting Kyiv, calling it disrespectful. In an interview with a Ukrainian outlet, Zelensky expressed his disappointment over their focus on the Russian capital during critical ceasefire negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.
Witkoff, who has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on numerous occasions, has made eight trips to Moscow, while neither he nor Kushner have visited Kyiv for official discussions. Zelensky articulated, It's disrespectful for them to come to Moscow and not Kyiv; it's just disrespectful. He acknowledged potential complexities in logistics for such visits but suggested alternative meeting locations if necessary.
While Witkoff and Kushner are currently part of the US team engaged in peace talks with Iran, the focus on the Middle East has shifted attention away from the war in Ukraine, which has persisted for over four years. Earlier this month, Zelensky had hinted at a possible visit from the two envoys, indicating they would be welcomed in Ukraine, but those plans were hindered due to the geopolitical situation involving military actions in Iran.
The last trilateral summit involving Russia, the US, and Ukraine occurred in mid-February, as war efforts in Ukraine have continued unabated, with direct combat ongoing across a long front line from Luhansk to Kherson. Ukrainian forces have ramped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, complicating economic conditions amid a profound humanitarian crisis stemming from the protracted conflict.
Despite Zelensky's concerns regarding the lack of engagement from U.S. officials in Kyiv, he asserted the necessity of American cooperation, emphasizing the importance of continuing diplomatic relations to support Ukraine's sovereignty and stability.
