Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are travelling to Moscow and Kyiv this weekend carrying a US proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said on Friday.
Diplomatic push under way
Trump told reporters at the White House that the pair were taking "a plan to end the war" and that they had been sent to see whether progress could be made. According to the report, the trip would mark the envoys' first visit to Kyiv; both have previously visited Moscow.
Media reports said the envoys were expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. The visit follows a period of intensified fighting, with both sides conducting strikes inside the other's territory in recent days.
Security measures and temporary pauses
In a statement posted on X, Zelensky said Ukrainian authorities would facilitate safe travel and movement for the US delegation. He emphasised that Kyiv would not conduct air strikes during the time needed for talks and related logistics, and he urged Moscow to reciprocate.
"We are looking out for them, not for Russia. There will be no air strikes from our side, and Russia must do the same, ensuring there are no air strikes from its side for the time needed to hold these talks and handle the logistical matters related to this American visit," Zelensky said.
Putin, according to the BBC, said there were "chances" a peace deal could be reached but stressed that Moscow and Kyiv must first agree directly between themselves. The BBC’s reporting of his remarks was cited in the source material.
Context: recent escalation and intelligence concerns
The visit comes amid heightened hostilities. The reporting noted a recent wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities that caused civilian casualties, and Ukrainian strikes on targets inside Russia, including energy infrastructure and warehouses. The trip also followed a recent publicly reported Moscow visit by the director of US intelligence, which warned Russia against attacking NATO members.
President Trump characterised the envoys’ work positively, saying they had "done a great job" and that there was a "good chance" something productive could result from the mission. The pair’s itinerary and their proposal’s contents were not detailed in the available reports.
Practical timeline
| Day | Planned activity |
|---|---|
| Saturday | Meeting with President Vladimir Putin (Moscow) |
| Sunday | Visit with President Volodymyr Zelensky (Kyiv) |
How both capitals will receive the US proposal, and whether it will lead to sustained talks or concrete concessions, remains to be seen. The reports make clear that any such diplomatic mission depends on the consent and co-operation of Moscow and Kyiv and on temporary measures to reduce the risk of strikes during the envoys’ travel.
What this means for observers in South Africa
For South African readers, the trip is significant because any movement towards a negotiated settlement would affect global energy and grain markets, international security dynamics and diplomatic relationships across regions. The reports do not indicate South African government involvement or comment.
- Envoys: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff
- Hosts: Moscow (Putin) and Kyiv (Zelensky)
- Main aim: Present a US proposal intended to end the war, according to President Trump
Further details about the proposal, the meetings' outcomes or any formal agreements were not available in the original reporting. International observers and governments will be watching developments closely as the visit unfolds.
