The U.S. Asks Ukraine Not to Strike Moscow During Witkoff and Kushner's Visit - NYT
The U.S. has asked Ukraine to temporarily suspend drone strikes on Moscow and Russian energy facilities during the visit of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The New York Times reported this, citing U.S. officials. Washington also expects Russia to halt missile attacks on Kyiv during this period.
The United States is seeking to ensure the safety of its representatives during their upcoming trip to Russia and Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are scheduled to visit Moscow and Kyiv on September 5–6. In Moscow, they plan to hold talks with Russian officials and then travel to Kyiv. American and Ukrainian sources had previously reported on preparations for the trip, and on September 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed it.
The visit is intended to be part of Washington’s effort to bring negotiations on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine back to an active phase. According to The New York Times, U.S. officials have asked Ukraine to refrain from drone strikes on Moscow and Russian energy facilities while Witkopf and Kushner are in Russia.
At the same time, Washington wants Russia to take a similar step—specifically, a temporary halt to missile attacks on Kyiv while the American representatives are in Ukraine. In this way, the U.S. aims to create a “window of calm” during the diplomatic trip. The New York Times obtained information about these agreements from U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The parties have not yet officially disclosed all the details of the agreements.
Witkopf and Kushner Will Travel to Moscow First
According to U.S. and Ukrainian sources, Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to Moscow first. There, they plan to meet with Russian leaders. Afterward, the U.S. envoys are expected to travel to Kyiv, where they will meet with Zelenskyy. The main topic of discussion is expected to be the possibility of resuming negotiations to end the war.
For Witkoff and Kushner, this will be an important trip, as they have previously been involved in contacts with the Russian side. At the same time, the visit to Kyiv will mark a new phase in their diplomatic efforts. Ukrainian authorities have already stated that they are preparing for the meeting. “It is important that the U.S. continue to be actively involved,” Zelenskyy said, commenting on the upcoming visit by the American representatives.
Why the U.S. Wants a Pause in the Strikes
One of the main reasons for this request is the safety of the American envoys themselves. Russia and Ukraine continue to launch strikes against each other, and Kyiv has been experiencing nearly nonstop attacks by Russian drones in recent days. On September 4, Russia attacked Kyiv again. One of the Russian drones struck the central part of the capital, damaging a building belonging to the Security Service of Ukraine. People were injured as a result of the attack.
Against this backdrop, the U.S. side wants to minimize risks during its representatives’ stays in Moscow and Kyiv. At the same time, this refers specifically to a temporary pause, not to Ukraine ceasing strikes on Russian targets. The Ukrainian side also expects reciprocity from Moscow. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to ensure security during the American envoys’ stay in Russia and expects Russian attacks to cease during their visit to Kyiv.
Will the U.S. Bring a New Peace Plan?
It remains unclear whether Witkoff and Kushner have new proposals from the Trump administration. According to the NYT, the American representatives may try to advance agreements already under discussion or help the parties resolve issues that remain contentious.
One of the most complex issues is the future of the occupied territories and control over the Donbas. The territorial issue, in particular, remains one of the main barriers to a potential peace agreement. At the same time, the parties have differing views on the conditions for ending the war. Ukraine insists on security guarantees and a just peace, while Moscow continues to put forward its own territorial and political demands. Therefore, the mere fact that U.S. representatives are meeting with the Russian and Ukrainian sides does not yet mean that agreements to end the war will be reached.
Russia must also cease its attacks
The U.S. proposal calls for reciprocity. If Ukraine temporarily halts strikes on Moscow and Russian energy facilities, the U.S. expects Moscow to take a similar step regarding Kyiv. This is important for Ukraine, as Russian attacks have not stopped in recent days.
At the same time, there are no signs yet of a full-fledged ceasefire. We are talking only about a possible short-term pause linked to the presence of American envoys in the two countries. Therefore, the coming days could be crucial for diplomatic contacts between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow. Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to hold talks first in Russia and then in Ukraine. The U.S. wants the parties to suspend their attacks, at least temporarily, during their visit. It remains to be seen whether this pause will mark the beginning of broader agreements. One of the main issues will remain the future of the Donbas and the terms for a possible end to the war. This is reported by The New York Times.
U.S. presidential envoys 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.
