Witkoff and Kushner arrive in Moscow in US effort to end Ukraine war
The two US envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, arrived in the Russian capital today, Saturday, as part of a new US effort to push forward initiatives aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and advancing the negotiation track between Moscow and Kyiv.
The Russian news agency TASS reported that upon their arrival at Vnukovo Airport, the US envoys were greeted by Kirill Dmitriev, the special envoy of the Russian President for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries.
The visit by Witkoff and Kushner comes as Washington intensifies its communications with both the Russian and Ukrainian sides, seeking to find common ground that could lead to a settlement of the ongoing war between the two countries, amid continuing disagreements over several key issues related to ending the conflict.
TASS had previously reported that Witkoff and Kushner would first visit Moscow before heading to Kyiv in a tour spanning today and tomorrow, reflecting a US effort to engage directly with both parties to the conflict.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Witkoff and Kushner as “always welcome guests” in Moscow, noting that they represent a interlocutor for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials.
US-Russian communications are expected to focus on the prospects for resuming negotiations and discussing proposals put forward to end the war, as well as issues that constitute points of disagreement between Moscow and Kyiv.
After Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner will head to Kyiv, where they are scheduled to meet Ukrainian officials as part of the same tour, providing Washington with an opportunity to convey positions and messages between the warring parties and continue searching for a political path to end the war.
The tour gains significance amid the continuation of military operations alongside diplomatic efforts, with the parties involved awaiting whether the new US communications will help narrow the gap of differences and create conditions for resuming more comprehensive negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine.
