KYIV – September 7, 2026 – U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner left Kyiv without an announced breakthrough after meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a day after more than three hours of talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The trip was the pair’s first visit to the Ukrainian capital. Russia and Ukraine agreed to pause strikes on Kyiv and Moscow during the mission, but Putin rejected a wider front-line ceasefire. Attacks continued elsewhere. Russian drones killed at least five people and injured others in the Kyiv, Kharkiv and Khmelnytskyi regions over the weekend, including a child in Chuhuiv.
A White House official said Moscow told the Americans it remains confident it can seize the rest of eastern Ukraine. Washington said it discussed “next steps” with Putin. Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will respond to Russian strikes “at the right time.”
About the Author
