ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

US Envoys Witkoff and Kushner Visit Kyiv Following Moscow Talks

other · 2026-09-05

On Sunday, US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner made their inaugural official trip to Ukraine, aiming to revive peace efforts in the wake of Russia's extensive invasion. This visit followed a lengthy, three-hour meeting on Saturday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, which concluded without any significant progress. Arriving by train, the envoys were greeted by senior Ukrainian officials before they met President Volodymyr Zelensky at a ceremony in St. Sophia Square. Zelensky conveyed his willingness for a 'constructive' dialogue, emphasizing on Telegram the need for peace and security guarantees, as well as a fair and lasting post-war resolution. The Washington initiative has waned, with US attention diverted to the conflict in Iran over the last six months. Witkoff and Kushner last visited Moscow in January for discussions with Putin at the Kremlin.

Key facts

  • US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv on Sunday.
  • They met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday.
  • The Moscow meeting lasted more than three hours and ended without breakthroughs.
  • The envoys arrived by train and were welcomed by Ukrainian officials.
  • Zelensky met them at a ceremony in St. Sophia Square.
  • Zelensky said Kyiv is ready for a 'constructive' discussion.
  • The US push for peace has lost momentum due to focus on the Iran war.
  • The last known visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow was in January.

Entities

Institutions

  • US government
  • Kremlin
  • Axios

Locations

  • Kyiv
  • Ukraine
  • Moscow
  • Russia
  • St. Sophia Square
  • Washington
  • Iran

Sources