Zelenskyy confirmed that Witkoff and Kushner will visit Ukraine on September 6
U.S. presidential representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia and Ukraine in the coming days. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, they will first travel to Moscow and then arrive in Kyiv on Sunday, where they will hold talks with the Ukrainian side.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will hold talks in Russia and Ukraine in the coming days. He said that the U.S. side has already confirmed the trip. Witkoff and Kushner will first visit Moscow and then arrive in Kyiv on Sunday.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is already preparing for their visit. He said that a meeting was held today with a broad diplomatic team working with the U.S. side. “It has now been clearly established that U.S. representatives will be in Ukraine and Russia in the coming days,” the president said.
First Moscow, then Kyiv
According to Zelenskyy, the itinerary for the American representatives has already been set. First, Witkoff and Kushner will visit Moscow, where they are scheduled to hold talks with the Russian side. After that, they will travel to Ukraine. Their arrival in Kyiv is scheduled for Sunday. The president did not disclose all the details of the upcoming meetings. At the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine is counting on a substantive discussion with the American delegation.
“Our goal is to have a visit and negotiations with the American side that are as constructive and substantive as possible,” Zelenskyy said. He also noted that the main objective of these talks is to find realistic ways to end the war. “We must seek realistic options for bringing this war to an end,” the president emphasized.
Ukraine is preparing for the Americans’ arrival
Zelenskyy said that preparations for the visit have already begun. Diplomats who work directly with the U.S. have been involved in these preparations. According to the president, the Ukrainian side wants to ensure normal conditions for the talks. Particular attention is being paid to logistics and the security of the American representatives’ travel. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to ensure the Russian airspace remains open for the time necessary for the negotiators’ arrival.
The goal is specifically to ensure that American representatives can safely make their trip to Moscow. The president emphasized that Ukraine is doing this for the safety of the negotiators themselves. “We are looking out for them, not for Russia,” Zelenskyy said. According to him, Ukraine will not carry out any airstrikes during this period.
Zelenskyy expects Russia to reciprocate with a ceasefire
The Ukrainian side, in turn, expects Russia to do the same. Zelenskyy stated that Moscow must ensure a ceasefire for as long as necessary to conduct the negotiations and resolve logistical issues related to the American delegation’s visit. “There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocate by ensuring a ceasefire—without its own airstrikes—for the time needed to conduct these negotiations and resolve logistical issues,” the president said.
Thus, this does not refer to a general cessation of hostilities, but rather to temporary measures related to the movement of U.S. representatives and the conduct of their meetings. The key question is whether Russia will agree to observe the same ceasefire during the visit. According to Zelenskyy, this is precisely what should allow the negotiations to take place without additional risks to the American side.
What Will Be Discussed in Moscow and Kyiv
Zelenskyy did not disclose all the details of the agenda for the upcoming meetings. At the same time, he made it clear that the Ukrainian side wants to hear specific proposals from the American representatives. The president specifically mentioned Witkoff and Kushner and noted that it is now important to understand exactly what proposals they will bring. “We’ll see what proposals Steve and Jared have and what they’ll be told in response in Moscow,” Zelenskyy said.
After the talks in Russia, the U.S. representatives will travel to Kyiv. There, they will be able to discuss the results of their trip to Moscow and possible next steps with the Ukrainian side. It is important for Ukraine that the talks not be limited to general statements. Kyiv is interested in concrete decisions that could bring an end to hostilities and the war.
Why the Visit Itself Is Important
Witkoff and Kushner’s trip comes amid U.S. efforts to advance the negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia. The very fact that U.S. representatives plan to visit both countries allows Washington to hear the parties’ positions firsthand. They will first hold talks in Moscow and then have the opportunity to discuss the situation with Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv.
It is important for Ukraine that its interests and position be taken into account during such contacts. At the same time, Kyiv is interested in ensuring that diplomatic efforts yield practical results rather than remaining merely an exchange of statements. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready to work constructively with the U.S. side. At the same time, much will depend on what proposals Washington puts forward and what position Moscow takes.
For now, the key details are as follows: Witkoff and Kushner will first visit Moscow, and then Kyiv on Sunday. Ukraine is already preparing for their arrival and has stated its readiness to provide the necessary conditions for the negotiations.
