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Trump Sends Envoys Witkoff, Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv With Plan to End Ukraine War
US President Donald Trump said Friday he is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with a plan to end the war in Ukraine. The envoys were expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday, as reported by AFP and Axios. Trump told reporters the negotiators would gauge whether progress toward peace was possible. Zelensky proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia during the visit. The trip was the first time Witkoff and Kushner visited Kyiv since Trump returned to office, having previously visited Moscow. Peace efforts have stalled, with Moscow and Kyiv intensifying long-range attacks.
By Tertius News AI Desk2 outlets · 6 publishers · 6 articlesCoverage Published v3
Envoys Carry 'Proposal to End the War' to Moscow and Kyiv
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." It will be the first time that Trump's businessman friend Witkoff and son-in-law Kushner have visited war-torn Kyiv since Trump returned to office last year. 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.
Zelensky Proposes Ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia while the US envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv. "There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire — without its own airstrikes — for the duration needed to conduct these talks," Zelensky said in his evening address. A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security service in central Kyiv, according to Zelensky. Zelensky accused Russia of trying to disrupt the envoys' visit with overnight strikes on Kyiv's two airports, as well as on a civilian target in the Dnipro region that killed five people. The Kremlin declined to comment on the matter.
Broader Context
The renewed push for diplomacy comes as Russia and Ukraine pummel each other with long-range missile and drone attacks, as reported by France 24. Zelensky had said on Wednesday that Russian airspace would be "completely unsafe" and filled with Ukrainian drones as long as Moscow continued its war. Putin said Zelensky's comments amounted to "state terrorism" and that Moscow would head off any disruption to civil aviation.
In late August, Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow in part to press counterparts there to consider a settlement, as reported by Reuters and several other media outlets. US media also reported that Ratcliffe warned Russia against any attack on NATO member states. Trump played down Germany's move to blame Russia for an attempted drone attack on an airport, saying: "I speak to him. I know him very well. Putin's not looking to attack NATO territory." Trump also said on Friday that he would ask Europeans to repay the American aid provided to Ukraine under Joe Biden, having long demanded that Europeans shoulder more of the cost of Western support for Ukraine.
How each outlet told it
A framing line is our reading of that outlet's own text — an interpretation, not a quotation and not a fact we assert. Check it against what the outlet published.
Framing: Emphasizes the arrival of Trump envoys in Moscow as a peace push.
Facts Included:
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner landed in Moscow on Saturday to discuss a plan to end more than four years of war between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of trying to disrupt the envoys’ visit with overnight strikes on Kyiv’s two airports, as well as on a civilian target in the Dnipro region that killed five people.
It will be the first time that Trump’s businessman friend Witkoff and son-in-law Kushner have visited war-torn Kyiv since Trump returned to office last year with a pledge to resolve the conflict.
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 that the two negotiators would seek to gauge whether progress was possible towards peace in the conflict.
Peace efforts have stalled due to Washington’s war on Iran, while Moscow and Kyiv have intensified long-range attacks, driving up civilian casualties to levels not seen since the start of fighting.
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.
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.
Despite the unprecedented nature of the strike, the Ukrainian president proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia for the duration of the US envoys’ trip.
Zelensky said in his evening address: “There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire — without its own airstrikes — for the duration needed to conduct these talks.”
Witkoff and Kusher’s trip comes more than a week after a rare visit to Moscow by CIA director John Ratcliffe, who warned Russia against any attack on Nato member states, according to US media.
Framing: Trump sends envoys Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with new plan to 'end the war'
Facts Included:
US President Donald Trump said Friday he is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with a plan to end more than four years of war in Ukraine.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP the envoys were due in Kyiv on Sunday.
US outlet Axios reported they would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, and then President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday.
Trump told reporters that the two negotiators would seek to gauge whether progress towards peace was possible.
Peace efforts have stalled due to 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 late August, Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow in part to press counterparts there to consider a settlement, Reuters and several other media outlets reported.
US media also reported that Ratcliffe warned Russia against any attack on NATO member states.
"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.
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."
It will be the first time that Trump's businessman friend Witkoff and son-in-law Kushner have visited war-torn Kyiv since Trump returned to office last year with a pledge to resolve the conflict.
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.
Just hours before Trump's announcement, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security service in central Kyiv, according to Zelensky.
Despite the unprecedented nature of the strike, the Ukrainian president proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia for the duration of the US envoys' trip.
"There will be no air strikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire – without its own air strikes – for the duration needed to conduct these talks," he said in his evening address.
Zelensky had said on Wednesday that Russian airspace would be "completely unsafe" and filled with Ukrainian drones as long as Moscow continued its war.
Putin said Zelensky's comments amounted to "state terrorism" and said that Moscow would head off any disruption to civil aviation.
Framing: Trump announces envoys carrying a peace plan to Moscow and Kyiv
Facts Included:
US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was sending envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Moscow and Kyiv with a proposal to end the four-year-old Ukraine war.
"They're bringing with them a proposal to end the war," Trump told reporters when asked about this weekend's trip by his son-in-law Kushner and businessman friend Witkoff.
Trump would not say whether the plan involved Ukraine ceding territory as he has previously suggested but added: "We have an idea for peace."
It will be the first time that Kushner and Witkoff have visited war-torn Kyiv since Trump returned to office last year with a vow to end the Ukraine war.
Both US envoys have previously visited Moscow.
"I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators."
The US leader blamed the war that began with Russia invading Ukraine in February 2022 on a "personality problem" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky earlier said he had proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia while the US envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv.
"There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire -- without its own airstrikes -- for the duration needed to conduct these talks," Zelensky said in his evening address.
Trump meanwhile played down Germany's move earlier this week to blame Russia for an attempted drone attack on an airport.
"I speak to him. I know him very well. Putin's not looking to attack NATO territory," Trump said in the Oval Office when an AFP reporter asked him about the German allegation.
Framing: Headline emphasizes Trump's dispatch of envoys to Moscow and Kyiv with a peace idea, quoting him directly. — Descriptive with a neutral tone, reporting statements and actions without editorializing.
Facts Included:
Trump said Friday he was sending envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Moscow and Kyiv with a plan to end the four-year-old Ukraine war.
Kushner and Witkoff have previously visited Moscow, leading to accusations that they have taken Russia's side in negotiations.
Trump told reporters: 'They're bringing with them a proposal to end the war.'
Trump said: 'We have an idea for peace.'
Trump said: 'I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators.'
Trump blamed the war on a 'personality problem' between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky proposed a ceasefire with Russia while US envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv.
Zelensky said: 'There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire – without its own airstrikes – for the duration needed to conduct these talks.'
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP the two envoys would visit Kyiv on Sunday.
A report in Axios said Kushner and Witkoff would travel on Friday, meet Putin at the Kremlin on Saturday, and then Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday.
Trump played down Germany's move to blame Russia for an attempted drone attack on an airport.
Trump said: 'I speak to him. I know him very well. Putin's not looking to attack Nato territory.'
Trump had a televised row with Zelensky in the Oval Office in February 2025.
Trump said on Thursday that he would ask Europeans to repay American aid provided to Ukraine under Biden.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the action of sending envoys to Russia and Ukraine, focusing on the US diplomatic move.
Facts Included:
US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with a plan to end more than four years of war in Ukraine.
A senior Ukrainian official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) the envoys were due in Kyiv on Sunday.
US outlet Axios reported they would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, and then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday.
Trump told reporters that the two negotiators would seek to gauge whether progress toward peace was possible.
"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.
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."
Just hours before Trump’s announcement, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in central Kyiv, according to Zelenskyy.
Despite the unprecedented nature of the strike, the Ukrainian president proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia for the duration of the US envoys’ trip.
"There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire — without its own airstrikes — for the duration needed to conduct these talks," he said in his evening address.
Russia did not immediately comment on the proposal.
Zelenskyy had said on Wednesday that Russian airspace would be "completely unsafe" and filled with Ukrainian drones as long as Moscow continued its war.
Witkoff and Kusher’s trip comes more than week after a rare visit to Moscow by Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, who warned Russia against any attack on North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states, according to US media.
Framing: Trump announces US envoys carrying a plan to 'end' the war in Ukraine to Moscow and Kyiv. — Measured, with a focus on diplomatic efforts and official statements.
Facts Included:
US President Donald Trump said he sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, described as 'two great negotiators', to see whether they can 'get something done' in the war in Ukraine.
Trump blamed the war, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, on a 'personality problem' between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy said he had proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia while the US envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv, stating 'There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire – without its own airstrikes – for the duration needed to conduct these talks.'
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that the two envoys would visit Kyiv on Sunday (local time).
A report in Axios said Kushner and Witkoff would travel today, meet Putin at the Kremlin on Saturday, and then Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday.
Trump played down Germany's move to blame Russia for an attempted drone attack on an airport, saying 'I speak to him. I know him very well. Putin's not looking to attack Nato territory.'
Trump said on Friday that he would ask Europeans to repay the American aid provided to Ukraine under Joe Biden.
Trump has long demanded that Europeans shoulder more of the cost of Western support for Ukraine.
ClaimTrump blamed the war, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, on a 'personality problem' between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
ClaimZelenskyy said: 'There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire – without its own airstrikes – for the duration needed to conduct these talks.'
ClaimPeace efforts have stalled due to 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.
ClaimZelensky had said on Wednesday that Russian airspace would be 'completely unsafe' and filled with Ukrainian drones as long as Moscow continued its war.
ClaimZelensky accused Russia of trying to disrupt the envoys' visit with overnight strikes on Kyiv's two airports and a civilian target in the Dnipro region that killed five people.
ClaimZelensky said on X: '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' and added there would be 'no threats to diplomacy' from the Ukrainian side.