Trump Envoys May Visit Ukraine as Diplomacy Remains Stalled; Russia Does Not Want Peace, Zelensky Says

September 1 ------ As diplomacy between Ukraine and Russia remains stalled, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv and Washington are discussing a possible visit by senior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Zelensky said in a statement on Monday, Aug. 31 that he held a “detailed and constructive” phone call with US President Donald Trump’s representatives, noting that the two countries’ negotiating teams are working on a possible visit date. “This trip would be very useful for working out decisions toward peace,” Zelensky said, adding that “Steve and Jared know many of the details” regarding the battlefield situation.

Russia’s “enormous losses”

“Russia’s gains are limited and come at the cost of enormous losses,” Zelensky said. He thanked Witkoff and Kushner, as well as Trump and the US, for their work toward peace.

Zelensky said the teams would continue consultations to prepare the agenda and arrange future communication. The envoys’ visit has been on the horizon since July, when they reportedly agreed to travel to Kyiv for the first time, marking a significant shift in Washington’s diplomatic approach.

The planned mission followed Zelensky’s meeting with Trump at the White House on July 28, where the two discussed Patriot interceptor production licenses and ways to deepen strategic and diplomatic efforts toward peace. Though both Witkoff and Kushner play central roles in Trump’s efforts to broker an end to Russia’s war, their diplomacy has included direct contact Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Ukraine’s position was largely discussed in meetings held outside the country.

Moscow’s position

“There needs to be the right mood in Moscow, with Putin– a mood to end this, not to keep fighting,” Zelensky said. “Unfortunately, for now, all intelligence assessments – both ours and our partners’ – and all signals from Russia indicate that the Russian leader personally still wants war.”

On Monday, The Economist, citing sources close to the Kremlin, reported that Putin is preparing to escalate his war against Ukraine by sending up to 400,000 additional Russians to the battlefield. Possible escalations, including hybrid campaigns and limited on-ground incursions, may also be used to target Ukraine’s Western allies. According to sources, the Kremlin also reportedly viewed a recent visit to Moscow by CIA director John Ratcliffe as a sign of weakness, prompting Russian authorities to consider possible nuclear escalation.

Alexei Zhuravlev, a State Duma deputy and leader of the nationalist Rodina party said on Monday that Russia should use tactical nuclear weapons if necessary. However, there is no tangible evidence that Putin has decided to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

Source: kyivpost.com