U.S. envoys Witkoff and Kushner meet with Zelenskyy in Kyiv after peace talks in Moscow
A dispatch from the edges of a war that may be negotiated to a halt by men who are already thinking about their memoirs.
1 / 5In the article
When we retire, we'll have all these incredible stories and incredible memories, and yours will be right at the top of it all.”
When we retire, we'll have all these incredible stories and incredible memories, and yours will be right at the top of it all.
Witkoff's unusually personal, flattering words to Putin reveal the warm diplomatic posture Washington is bringing to Moscow.
In context
Sunday’s visit to Kyiv is believed to be the first to be made by Witkoff and Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, as part of the peace effort. Witkoff has visited Moscow several times, most recently holding talks with Putin at the Kremlin in January. Witkoff on Saturday appeared to strike a particularly warm tone during the meeting with Putin. In video published by Russia’s state-owned news outlet RIA Novosti, he told the Russian leader that the delegation had been reflecting on how “when we retire, we’ll have all these incredible stories and incredible memories, and yours will be right at the top of it all.”
Receipt
Russia ramped up attacks on Kyiv ahead of the peace talks — then struck both airports the night the U.S. delegation was preparing to fly in.
Russia's airport strikes expose the violence framing these talks, undercutting any appearance of good-faith momentum toward peace.
In context
The renewed talks appear to be Washington’s latest bid to end the nearly five-year conflict after months of stalled momentum due to the Iran war. While there has been little recent movement on the front lines, the talks come ahead of what will likely be a difficult winter in Kyiv, which is facing a critical shortage of U.S.-made interceptor missiles able to repel Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Sunday’s visit to Kyiv is believed to be the first to be made by Witkoff and Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, as part of the peace effort. Witkoff has visited Moscow several times, most recently holding talks with Putin at the Kremlin in January.
Receipt
Both sides agreed to hold off on aerial attacks on each other's capitals to enable the visits — though no broader ceasefire is in place.
A narrow, capitals-only aerial pause shows how limited and fragile the diplomatic arrangement actually is.
In context
“We are ready for the conversation,” the Ukrainian president said in a post on X after meeting with his top officials. “Ukraine has always been and will remain constructive. We are interested in bringing the end of the war closer,” he said, adding that Ukraine’s “proposals are ready.” Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to hold off on aerial attacks on each other’s capitals to enable the visits over the weekend, bringing a brief respite in the cities, though no broader ceasefire is in place. The renewed talks appear to be Washington’s latest bid to end the nearly five-year conflict after months of stalled momentum due to the Iran war.
Both Russia and Ukraine sides agreed to hold off on aerial attacks on each other's capitals to enable the visits over the weekend, bringing a brief respite in the cities, — though no broader ceasefire is in place.
Receipt
Working with you is a comfortable experience for us, and we certainly place a high level of trust in you throughout this process.
Putin signals comfort and trust in the U.S. envoys, while offering no concessions on his core demands from Ukraine.
In context
…day appeared to strike a particularly warm tone during the meeting with Putin. In video published by Russia’s state-owned news outlet RIA Novosti, he told the Russian leader that the delegation had been reflecting on how “when we retire, we’ll have all these incredible stories and incredible memories, and yours will be right at the top of it all.” Putin, for his part, did not publicly signal any movement from his previous steep demands, which seek major concessions from Ukraine. He praised Witkoff and Kushner in the video, telling them: “I would like to say that working with you is a comfortable experience for us, and we certainly place a high level of trust in you throughout this process.”…
Receipt
Kyiv faces a critical shortage of U.S.-made interceptor missiles to repel Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure — ahead of what will likely be a difficult winter.
Ukraine's vulnerable energy situation sets the urgent stakes driving Kyiv toward the negotiating table this winter.
In context
The renewed talks appear to be Washington’s latest bid to end the nearly five-year conflict after months of stalled momentum due to the Iran war. While there has been little recent movement on the front lines, the talks come ahead of what will likely be a difficult winter in Kyiv, which is facing a critical shortage of U.S.-made interceptor missiles able to repel Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Sunday’s visit to Kyiv is believed to be the first to be made by Witkoff and Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, as part of the peace effort. Witkoff has visited Moscow several times, most recently holding talks with Putin at the Kremlin in January.
ahead of what will likely be a difficult winter in Kyiv which is facing faces a critical shortage of U.S.-made interceptor missiles able to repel Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure — ahead of what will likely be a difficult winter.
Receipt
Didn’t see the line you wanted? Choose your own
Make something from it
Ask a question
Ask about anything in this article. We’ll try to provide an answer.