The US has asked Ukraine to suspend strikes on Moscow and energy targets whilst Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are visiting, according to The New York Times. Washington has also asked Russia not to strike targets in Kyiv whilst the American representatives are there. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine will observe a ceasefire, whilst expecting Russia to do the same.
Briefly about the main points
- The US is asking Kyiv to temporarily refrain from targeting Moscow and the energy sector.
- Russia was asked not to attack Kyiv whilst the delegation was there.
- Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would observe the ceasefire and expected the Russian Federation to do the same.
- Vitkoff and Kushner will first visit Moscow, then Kyiv.
- This is a security regime for the journey, not a general ceasefire.
First Moscow, then Kyiv
According to Axios, US negotiators are due to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, followed by talks on Sunday with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The American publication notes that the visit is part of a new attempt by Washington to revitalise the negotiation process aimed at ending the Russian-Ukrainian war.
On the evening of 4 September, Zelenskyy explicitly confirmed this timetable.
«Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Moscow and will visit Kyiv on Sunday,» the president said.
The meeting in the Ukrainian capital is therefore expected to take place on 6 September.
Kyiv wants to hear the outcome of the talks in the Kremlin
The Ukrainian side is preparing for a substantive discussion once the US representatives have held talks with the Russian leadership.
It is important for Kyiv to understand what position Moscow will put to Witkoff and Kushner, whether the Kremlin is prepared to alter its demands, and what specific proposals the US side will then put forward.
Back on 31 August, Zelenskyy reported that, during a conversation with Witkoff and Kushner, the parties had discussed what exactly could be done to compel Russia to move towards ending the war.
The President also emphasised that ongoing dialogue between Kyiv and Washington is continuing, and that the visit by the American negotiators could help to develop concrete solutions to advance diplomatic efforts.
This will be Witkoff and Kushner’s first visit to Kyiv
Vitkoff and Kushner have already been in contact with the Russian leadership on several occasions, but this trip is set to be their first visit to the Ukrainian capital.
According to Reuters, security concerns had previously surrounded the visit. Washington sought assurances that Russia would not attack Kyiv whilst American representatives were there, and that Ukraine, for its part, would not launch strikes against Moscow whilst their talks in Russia were taking place.
Zelenskyy has already stated that Ukraine will ensure the necessary conditions for the American negotiators to work safely during their stay in Russia and expects Moscow to do the same.
The talks are taking place against the backdrop of a new escalation
The diplomatic visit will take place against a backdrop of a sharp escalation in mutual attacks.
On 4 September, a Russian A drone struck the SBU’s main building in Kyiv. Zelenskyy stated that the drone had been directed at the office of the head of the Security Service, Oleksandr Poklad. Reuters described the attack as a new escalation, coming on the eve of the US delegation’s planned meetings in Moscow and Kyiv.
At the same time, the parties’ positions on a possible end to the war remain far apart. Russia continues to make territorial and political demands that Ukraine considers unacceptable, whilst Kyiv insists on genuine security guarantees and an end to Russian aggression.
That is precisely why the meeting on 6 September will be crucial in determining whether Vitkoff and Kushner will bring back new proposals from Moscow and whether there is scope for further negotiations.
