President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow, labeling it as 'disrespectful' that they have not visited Kyiv in an official capacity. The two envoys, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, have not made the trip to Ukraine despite the ongoing conflict and peace negotiations.
Witkoff, a former real estate magnate, has made numerous trips to Russia, engaging with Putin on various occasions. In contrast, neither he nor Kushner, who is also a key figure in US negotiations, has set foot in Kyiv to discuss crucial matters relating to the war and ceasefire talks.
Zelensky emphasized, It's disrespectful [for them] to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it's just disrespectful. He indicated a willingness to meet the US envoys in third-party countries if travel to Ukraine is challenging.
Recent escalation in the US-Israel conflict with Iran further complicated matters, as it diverted attention away from the Ukraine war. Though Zelensky acknowledged the shifting focus of US diplomacy, he stressed the importance of continued cooperation with America.
The US roles in negotiations with Iran have apparently taken precedence, igniting further frustrations in Kyiv regarding its marginalization in peace discussions between Russia and the US.
Ceasefire negotiations have made some progress, especially during late 2025, when both Russian and US officials sought resolutions to the Ukraine conflict. However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning territorial integrity and the status of the Donbas region.
The ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in 2022, has not seen a resolution despite continued efforts from various international entities. With large portions of eastern Ukraine under Russian control and the US assessing its strategy, the future remains uncertain.
