The Japan Times - US envoys in Moscow for Ukraine war negotiations

After talks in Moscow, the pair, sent by President Donald Trump, are expected to travel on to Kyiv for their first visit in Washington's latest bid to break a diplomatic stalemate in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of trying to disrupt the envoys' visit with overnight strikes on the Ukrainian capital's two airports, as well as on a civilian target in the Dnipro region that killed five people.

"Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the US side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine," Zelensky said on X, adding there would be "no threats to diplomacy" from the Ukrainian side.

Later on Saturday, ahead of his meeting with the American officials, Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day halt in Moscow's strikes on Kyiv to allow the US delegation to hold talks there.

"The Russian president, the commander-in-chief, has given the order from midnight tonight not to strike Kyiv for three days," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

He said this was "linked to the preparation and conduct of talks by American negotiators in Kyiv".

It will be the first time that Trump's businessman friend Witkoff and son-in-law Kushner have visited war-torn Kyiv since the president returned to office last year with a pledge to resolve the conflict.

Travelling to Kyiv by plane would be a highly unusual move, with Ukrainian airspace closed since 2022 because of the war. Visiting leaders and officials have generally travelled by train.

The envoys are expected in Kyiv on Sunday, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP, while US outlet Axios reported they would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday.

Trump told reporters the envoys would seek to gauge whether progress towards peace was possible.

Peace efforts have stalled, in part because of Washington's war with Iran, while Moscow and Kyiv have intensified long-range attacks, driving up civilian casualties to levels not seen since the start of fighting in February 2022.

"I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They've done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we'll do it," Trump said.

"They're bringing with them a proposal to end the war."

The US president would not say whether the plan involved Ukraine ceding territory as he has previously suggested, but added: "We have an idea for peace."

Witkoff and Kushner, who have been involved in negotiations for ceasefires in Gaza and Iran, have travelled repeatedly to Moscow in previous attempts at diplomacy.

- Grinding war -

The renewed push for diplomacy comes as Russia and Ukraine pummel each other with long-range missile and drone attacks.

Just hours before Trump's announcement on Friday, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security service in central Kyiv, according to Zelensky.

The strike, which Zelensky said was aimed at the office of the agency's acting chief, was the first on its headquarters since the start of Russia's offensive.

Despite the unprecedented nature of the strike, the Ukrainian president urged Russia to agree to a ceasefire for the duration of the US envoys' trip.

Overnight, a Russian strike killed five people and wounded five others in the southeastern city of Kamianske, said Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration.

Witkoff and Kushner's visit comes after a rare trip to Moscow last month by CIA director John Ratcliffe, who warned Russia against any attack on NATO member states, according to US media.

Earlier this week, the United States welcomed the Russian finance minister at a G20 gathering in North Carolina.

H.Takahashi--JT