Trump Sends Envoys to Moscow and Kyiv for Peace

President Donald Trump dispatched envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv starting September 7, 2026, to broker an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. The mission aims to establish a durable peace framework and reduce the financial costs of U.S. support for Ukraine, allowing Washington to refocus strategic attention on China in the Indo-Pacific.

The delegation met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin for over three hours before traveling to Kyiv for substantive discussions with Ukrainian officials. To facilitate the visits, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a temporary three-day pause in strikes against each other's capitals. Russian Foreign Policy Adviser Yuri Ushakov noted that the American representatives were thoroughly prepared and presented several ideas for a settlement.

Despite the establishment of a diplomatic channel, the talks ended in a deadlock over territorial concessions and security guarantees. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a just peace and continued air-defense support, while the Russian government maintained its demand for territorial gains. While Steve Witkoff described the discussions as meaningful and encouraging, neither side has retreated from its maximalist position. Trump has previously signaled a willingness to prioritize U.S. strategic interests over European border changes and has pressured Ukraine to accept Russian terms.