KYIV – U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to arrive in Kyiv on Sunday in their first visit to the Ukrainian capital as part of a renewed push for peace in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This visit follows a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, aimed at reviving peace talks amidst escalating aerial attacks from both sides. The urgency of these negotiations is underscored by the ongoing conflict, which has seen increased violence and destruction across Ukraine.
Washington’s efforts to mediate an end to the fighting have faced setbacks over the past six months, particularly as the U.S. has shifted its focus toward the conflict in Iran. The last interaction between Witkoff, Kushner—who is also U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law—and President Putin occurred in January, indicating a long gap between high-level discussions.
Saturday’s Moscow meeting extended over three hours behind closed doors, concluding without any announcements of significant breakthroughs. Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, characterized the discussions as constructive and frank but refrained from detailing any specific outcomes.
Ushakov mentioned that the dialogue encompassed not only military assessments regarding the ongoing conflict but also economic discussions and potential joint projects that could be mutually beneficial for both Russia and America. This broader approach aims to create a foundation for future cooperation, despite the immediate tensions.
As the air war intensifies, the situation along the 1,250-kilometer (775-mile) front line remains dire. Russia has escalated its use of fast-flying, jet-powered drones, contributing to the routine sound of air-raid sirens that now permeates daily life in Kyiv. In a precarious development, President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously agreed to pause strikes on each other’s capitals during the talks, yet hostilities resumed with both sides exchanging fire overnight into Sunday.
Recent Russian attacks across multiple Ukrainian regions resulted in one fatality and at least ten injuries, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. Notably, drone strikes in Zaporizhzhia claimed the life of a 74-year-old man and injured several others, while damage to an apartment building in the Khmelnytskyi region also resulted in multiple injuries.
On the defensive side, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that it successfully intercepted 82 out of 108 drones launched by Russia overnight, as well as six missiles, indicating a significant effort to protect its airspace.
Conversely, a drone strike in Russia’s Belgorod border region resulted in one death and serious injuries to another, illustrating the cross-border nature of the conflict. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its air defenses shot down 258 Ukrainian drones over various regions, including occupied Crimea and the surrounding seas, highlighting the ongoing military exchanges that continue to exacerbate the situation.
