US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, have arrived in Moscow as Washington intensifies efforts to revive negotiations aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The two American representatives landed in the Russian capital on Saturday for talks on the conflict and were met by Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian presidential envoy who has been involved in previous discussions between Moscow and Washington.
After their arrival, a motorcade carrying Witkoff, Kushner and Dmitriev left Moscow’s governmental airport and headed towards the city, according to a Reuters witness.
The visit follows Trump’s announcement on Friday that he had sent Witkoff and Kushner abroad with what he described as a fresh proposal aimed at ending the war, which has entered its fifth year.
Trump said the United States had an idea for peace but did not disclose details of the proposal. He expressed optimism that the latest diplomatic effort could lead to progress between Moscow and Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the two US representatives are expected to travel to Kyiv on Sunday after their meetings in Moscow. The planned visit would be their first trip to the Ukrainian capital as part of the current diplomatic effort.
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The mission comes as military hostilities continue despite renewed diplomatic efforts. Russia and Ukraine have continued launching long-range attacks against targets on each other’s territory.
Kyiv has endured repeated Russian drone and missile attacks in recent days. On Friday, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service, or SBU, in the centre of the capital, injuring at least 12 people, according to Reuters.
Zelenskyy has called for a temporary halt to air attacks while the American envoys are in Ukraine and urged Russia to observe the same pause. Moscow has not publicly agreed to the proposal.
The diplomatic effort faces significant obstacles, particularly over territory and Ukraine’s future security arrangements.
The latest mission follows previous attempts by the Trump administration to mediate between the two sides. Earlier negotiations failed to produce a lasting ceasefire, while both countries have continued military operations.
Dmitriev has played an important role in previous United State – Russia contacts and has remained involved in communications with American negotiators. He has previously participated in discussions involving Witkoff and Kushner.
The arrival of Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow therefore represents a renewed attempt by Washington to narrow the differences between Russia and Ukraine.
Attention will now turn to their meetings with Russian officials and whether the discussions can produce progress before the expected trip to Kyiv.
With the war continuing and major disagreements unresolved, the outcome of the diplomatic mission could determine whether Washington’s latest peace initiative gains momentum or faces another setback.
