Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized visits by US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow without corresponding official trips to Kyiv, calling the pattern "disrespectful." In an interview with a Ukrainian outlet, Zelensky stated, "It's disrespectful to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it's just disrespectful." He acknowledged logistical challenges but suggested meetings could be held in other countries if a visit to Ukraine was not feasible.
Witkoff and Kushner traveled to the Russian capital late last year and again in January, coinciding with accelerated ceasefire talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Witkoff, a former real estate magnate, has visited Moscow eight times and met with Vladimir Putin on multiple occasions. However, neither envoy has ever visited Kyiv in an official capacity, highlighting what Zelensky portrayed as a diplomatic slight amid ongoing conflict.
Zelensky noted that a planned visit by the US envoys to Ukraine in April allegedly failed to materialize due to the US-Israel war with Iran. He conceded that Washington's attention is currently focused on the Middle East but emphasized the importance of continued cooperation with American partners for Ukraine's war effort and diplomatic positioning.
Ceasefire negotiations gained momentum in autumn 2025 when it emerged that Russian and US officials were reportedly working on a peace plan that purportedly included terms unfavorable to Kyiv. Ukraine pushed for inclusion in the talks, leading to several meetings and summits. By February, both sides claimed agreement on some "military issues," including frontline delineation and ceasefire monitoring mechanisms.
However, significant disputes remain unresolved: Ukraine demands the return of children forcibly deported by Russia since the war's onset, while Moscow insists on "regime change" in Kyiv. The core deadlock centers on the status of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. Russia's demand for sovereign Ukrainian territory in exchange for peace is unacceptable to Kyiv, with neither side showing willingness to compromise, stalling negotiations indefinitely.
The war, triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, has persisted for over four years, becoming a grim daily reality for Ukrainians. Large swathes of eastern Ukraine remain under Russian control, with forces from both sides engaged in direct combat along a lengthy frontline stretching from Luhansk to Kherson. Cities across Ukraine endure regular aerial assaults, with Russia employing hundreds of drones and missiles that kill civilians and damage critical infrastructure.
In a stark example, Russia launched over 700 drones and missiles in a single night last week, killing at least 18 people. Meanwhile, Ukraine has escalated attacks on Russian energy infrastructure using long-range drones, targeting ports, factories, and oil terminals deep within Russian territory. These strikes have reportedly disrupted at least 20% of Russia's export capacity, though Moscow has seen financial gains from increased oil revenues amid broader economic challenges.
Source: www.bbc.com