US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday, September 4, 2026, to present a new peace proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, according to state media and statements from US President Donald Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a temporary three-day halt to attacks on Kyiv starting at midnight to facilitate the diplomatic mission, a Kreml-talsmann told the Russian news agency Interfax.
Witkoff and Kushner Arrive in Moscow With New Proposal
State-run Russian media confirmed the landing of US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in the Russian capital on Saturday, September 4, 2026. President Donald Trump confirmed the mission on Friday, telling the press that the duo brings a fresh proposal to end the conflict. According to reports from Interfax, a Kremlin spokesperson stated that Putin ordered the three-day bombing pause on Kyiv specifically to accommodate the American delegation’s itinerary. Following their talks in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to travel onward to Kyiv on Sunday, September 5, 2026. Ukrainian airspace has remained closed since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, creating logistical hurdles for the delegates’ arrival.
Airfield Strikes and Recent Escalation in Kyiv
The diplomatic push coincides with heavy aerial bombardments. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj stated on Saturday, September 4, 2026, that airports in Kyiv and Boryspil were hit by Russian missile strikes. Zelenskyj asserted that these attacks were directly connected to deliberations over whether Witkoff and Kushner would fly into Ukraine. Kyiv has faced nearly continuous daytime air raids as Ukraine experiences a current reduction in air defense capabilities, according to regional reporting. Additional attacks struck other areas; ABC Nyheter reported that a Russian drone hit the headquarters of Ukraine’s security service, SBU, on Friday, September 3, 2026, while a steelworks in Dnipro was struck on Saturday, resulting in five deaths.
Russian Skepticism Meets International Diplomatic Efforts
Moscow has expressed caution regarding the ongoing American initiative. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the state news agency Tass on Saturday, September 4, 2026, that the central question is the extent to which Washington is prepared to invest in a real solution based on realities on the ground. This sentiment follows remarks earlier in the week by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha regarding a potential new dynamic in peace efforts, alongside statements from India expressing readiness to contribute to ending the war. Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe conducted an unannounced visit to Moscow last week to meet with Russian counterpart Sergei Naryshkin, though officials have not confirmed a link to the Witkoff-Kushner visit.
Did you know? Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner previously traveled to Moscow in January for a four-hour nocturnal meeting with Vladimir Putin inside the Kremlin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Vladimir Putin pause attacks on Kyiv?
According to a Kremlin spokesperson speaking to Interfax, Putin ordered a three-day halt to strikes on Kyiv starting at midnight to ensure safe conditions during the visit of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
What is the purpose of Witkoff and Kushner’s visit to Moscow and Kyiv?
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the envoys are delivering a new proposal designed to explore pathways to end the war in Ukraine.
Has the US administration clarified whether territorial concessions are required?
No. President Trump stated that the envoys carry a proposal, but did not specify whether the plan requires Ukraine to cede territory.
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