September 7, 2026 · Foreign Policy, War & National Security
· Diplomatic mission
Confirmed
Trump Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Make First Wartime Visit to Kyiv, No Breakthrough
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled by train from Poland to Kyiv on Sept. 7 for Trump envoys' first-ever wartime visit to Ukraine, arriving directly from talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. At a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, all three men called the talks "substantive" but disclosed no details of any new proposals, and the visit produced no breakthrough. Kushner said Trump wants to end the war "as soon as possible" and that a deal by winter is something he wants to try, while Zelenskyy appeared skeptical and told reporters he expects Russia to keep fighting.
The visit underscored how far apart the two sides remain on core issues, particularly Russia's demand that Ukraine cede territory it still controls, which polling shows most Ukrainians oppose. Zelenskyy said that question can only be resolved by heads of state, not envoys.
No new round of talks was scheduled as of the visit. Zelenskyy said Ukraine faces another difficult winter of Russian strikes on its energy grid and is pressing for additional air-defense supplies.
The visit underscored how far apart the two sides remain on core issues, particularly Russia's demand that Ukraine cede territory it still controls, which polling shows most Ukrainians oppose. Zelenskyy said that question can only be resolved by heads of state, not envoys.
No new round of talks was scheduled as of the visit. Zelenskyy said Ukraine faces another difficult winter of Russian strikes on its energy grid and is pressing for additional air-defense supplies.