US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have landed in Moscow as part of the latest White House attempt to end Russia's war against its neighbor, with the two diplomats set to visit Kyiv afterward.Their arrival, reported by Reuters and TASS, marks a rare development in effectively stalled negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow came as Russian forces launched a fresh wave of attacks across Ukraine.Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Washington had "an idea for peace," adding that his envoys were "bringing with them a proposal to end the war.""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 told reporters at the White House on September 4 without providing details.
Responding to increasing concerns in the West that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO member to test the alliance's resolve, Trump again said he doesn't believe the Kremlin leader is planning such a move."I speak to him. I know him very well. Putin's not looking to attack NATO territory," Trump said.Zelenskyy said on September 4 that "today it has been clearly determined that American representatives will be in Ukraine and in Russia in the coming days" and he called for a pause in air strikes by both sides to facilitate any meetings.He added that the US team had informed him that Witkoff and Kushner would first visit Kyiv on September 6, a day after their talks in Moscow.Previously, a US official had confirmed to RFE/RL that Witkoff and Kushner would travel to Moscow and Kyiv "in the coming days."Zelenskyy Calls For Pause In Air StrikesZelenskyy said Ukrainian forces would "ensure the normal functioning of Russia airspace so that the negotiators can arrive there safely" and demanded that Moscow reciprocate."There will be no air strikes from our side, and Russia must also refrain from conducting air strikes for the time needed to hold these negotiations."The visit would come just days after a Russia drone strike hit the headquarters of Ukraine's domestic security service -- known as the SBU and a key agency that would be responsible for the US envoys' safety during a visit."Unfortunately, a Russian drone hit the central building of the SBU on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, opposite the St. Sophia Cathedral," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram, referring to the main building of the domestic intelligence agency.
