Trump envoys’ first Kyiv trip in doubt over security fears

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Moscow and then Kyiv on Sept. 5–6, according to Russia's state news agency TASS, in what would be the first trip to the Ukrainian capital by either envoy since they became Washington's intermediaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But the visit is already in doubt, with a person familiar with the matter telling the Kyiv Independent that Witkoff "started to get scared" over security concerns.apa+2

Zelensky Confirms, but Doubts Emerge

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sept. 3 that he had received confirmation from the envoys and that "preliminary dates" had been set for their visit. "We expect to see the envoys of the President of America here in Kyiv. We have confirmation from them," Zelensky said in his nightly address. He added that the envoys would hold meetings in both Moscow and Kyiv.kyivindependent+2

However, the Kyiv Independent reported on Sept. 4 that the trip was thrown into doubt. "The Russians don't want them to come here to Kyiv, and Witkoff is always sensitive to Russian sentiment," a person familiar with the matter said. "They're being told there that it's dangerous". The visit was previously postponed in August, reportedly because Trump wanted to keep his envoys close during the unresolved standoff with Iran.kyivindependent+1

A Rare Moment of Optimism

The planned visits come amid an unusual convergence of hopeful signals. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at an economic forum in Vladivostok on Sept. 3, said there was still "a chance" of reaching a peace agreement, though he accused Ukraine of "acts of state terrorism" over its recent aviation warnings and attacks on merchant shipping. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he expected "a new dynamic" in peace efforts.rte+1

Peace negotiations under US mediation stalled after three rounds of talks held between January and February in Abu Dhabi and Geneva, with both sides attributing the pause to Washington's shift in focus toward Iran. Neither Witkoff nor Kushner has visited Kyiv during the entire diplomatic process, drawing criticism from Ukrainian officials who argue the envoys need to witness the war's consequences firsthand.turkiyetoday+1

Stakes Rise as Attacks Intensify

Kyiv has endured eight consecutive days of Russian drone attacks as of Sept. 3, underscoring the urgency of the diplomatic effort. The visit, if it proceeds, would center on restarting trilateral talks and could involve discussion of Trump's peace plan, which has undergone multiple revisions and remains a point of contention between Moscow and Kyiv. A Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent that even with the envoys' pledge, the visit "may not happen".kyivpost+1