Putin refuses security guarantees for US envoys in Kyiv, ISW says
The Kremlin is reportedly unwilling to provide security guarantees for US President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, during their visit to Kyiv, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). This suggests Moscow does not intend to engage Washington as a mediator in peace talks. The ISW report notes that Ukraine paused long-range strikes on Russian territory during CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow on August 26, but Putin has not indicated Russia will halt attacks on Ukraine during the envoys' trip. Both Witkoff and Kushner have previously expressed concerns about their safety in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the envoys will visit Ukraine on Sunday, September 6, following their trip to Russia. Trump stated there is a "high probability" of reaching an agreement, while ISW analysts say Putin's stance highlights attempts to force the US to negotiate exclusively with Russia.