US major move to end Russia-Ukraine war as special envoys arrive in Kyiv

KYIV: A fresh US diplomatic push to end the Russia-Ukraine war has taken center stage after President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

The high-level meeting came just a day after the US delegation met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, putting Washington in direct contact with both sides of the conflict within a short span.

The back-to-back visits have raised hopes that the United States could be moving toward a new diplomatic framework aimed at ending the war, which began in February 2022 and has now entered its fifth year.

Following his meeting with Zelensky, Kushner expressed hope that the visit would help identify new ways to move peace efforts forward. A White House official also indicated that important proposals had been discussed during the Moscow talks, with possible announcements expected in the coming weeks.

The Kremlin said the US representatives presented several ideas concerning possible ways to end the conflict. However, Russian officials did not disclose details of the proposals, leaving the exact shape of Washington’s latest peace initiative unclear.

Zelensky welcomed the American delegation’s arrival in Kyiv, saying Ukraine had been waiting for such a meeting for a long time. Because of the ongoing security situation, the US representatives traveled to the Ukrainian capital by train rather than by air.

The diplomatic activity unfolded against the backdrop of continuing fighting across parts of Ukraine. Despite assurances that Kyiv and Moscow would not be targeted during the high-level visits, attacks were still reported elsewhere.

Ukraine claimed that Russian forces launched drone and missile attacks, while Russia said its forces intercepted and destroyed Ukrainian drones.

For civilians living through the prolonged conflict, the latest diplomatic contacts offer a possible opening after years of uncertainty, destruction and repeated attempts to secure a lasting ceasefire.

The United States has previously sought to bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to negotiations, but major disagreements have continued to block a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive peace agreement.

The simultaneous Moscow and Kyiv visits therefore represent an important test for Washington’s renewed diplomacy. Whether the proposals discussed behind closed doors can translate into a durable peace remains uncertain, but the meetings have once again placed negotiations at the heart of international efforts to end Europe’s most devastating war in decades.