Trump’s Envoys Visit Ukraine Amid Peace Talks Efforts

On September 6, 2026, President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, arrived in Ukraine. Their visit followed discussions in Moscow about a proposal to end the war with Russia. This marks the first time the envoys have traveled to Ukraine since Trump returned to office, promising to resolve the conflict.

Prior to their arrival, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for ‘security guarantees’ and peace through a social media post. Welcoming Witkoff and Kushner in Kyiv, Zelenskyy aimed to engage in productive talks about the conflict.

In Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner held a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They discussed plans for next steps, which a White House official noted will be revealed in the upcoming weeks. President Trump, prior to the envoys’ departure, mentioned their proposal for ending the conflict, noting optimism about achieving peace.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov acknowledged the thorough preparations made by the American envoys. He mentioned several ideas regarding possible settlements had been formulated, though he did not specify what those entailed. During the Moscow meeting, Putin expressed his gratitude to Trump and called the situation in Ukraine ‘not simple.’ Talks also touched on mutually beneficial deals between the U.S. and Russia.

Both Ukraine and Russia agreed to a temporary pause on strikes. This cessation allowed for uninterrupted dialogue as the envoys conducted their visit. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the order to halt strikes on Kyiv for three days, correlating with the envoys’ scheduled visit. Similarly, President Zelenskyy suspended strikes until Monday.

The U.S. delegation expressed gratitude to Putin for the release of U.S. Marine veteran Robert Gilman. Gilman, imprisoned in Russia since 2022, returned home last month after his release. Global Reach, an organization that advocated for him, reported he was hospitalized in serious condition due to alleged mistreatment before being freed.