Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner first traveled to Moscow on behalf of President Donald Trump. There they held talks with Putin on Saturday. The conversation lasted over three hours and was described by both sides as substantive. However, no concrete results were announced afterward.
The next day, Witkoff and Kushner continued on to Kyiv, where they arrived together for negotiations for the first time. There they spoke with Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials. The talks followed a prolonged period during which negotiations to end the war had stalled.
Europeans
After the American-Ukrainian consultations, a new round of talks took place in Kyiv, also attended by national security advisors from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Witkoff described the discussions as substantive and meaningful and said that the American envoys were encouraged by the progress made so far.
Promotion
However, no agreement was reached. Zelensky stated afterward that he expects the war to continue and probably still be ongoing during the winter. Ukraine is therefore counting on further American support, including for the winter period.
Not excluded
Still, further negotiations are not ruled out. Zelensky said that Ukraine, the United States, and European countries have agreed to meet again soon. A location for that meeting has not yet been determined. The American envoys also discussed possible new talks involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia.
Around the visits of Witkoff and Kushner, Moscow and Kyiv also agreed to temporarily refrain from conducting airstrikes on each other's capitals. Zelensky had previously proposed a broader ceasefire. Russia did not agree to that broader proposal.
Resumption
Shortly before the new American diplomatic round, Putin had cautiously expressed a positive outlook on the possibility of a settlement. He said he saw a chance for an agreement between Russia and Ukraine. According to him, other countries, including the United States and China, could assist in seeking a solution.
So far, the trip of Witkoff and Kushner has mainly led to the resumption of diplomatic talks. Zelensky called that positive in itself after the long interruption of negotiations. When and where the next talks will take place and in which composition have not yet been announced.