Trump sends envoys to Moscow and Kyiv with new plan to end Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump announced Friday he is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with a new proposal to end the war in Ukraine, marking Washington's latest effort to break a diplomatic stalemate in the conflict that began with Russia's 2022 invasion. The envoys are due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday, according to reports, with Trump saying they will gauge whether progress toward peace is possible. The trip follows stalled peace efforts amid Washington's war with Iran and intensified long-range attacks driving civilian casualties to new highs. Zelensky proposed a ceasefire for the duration of the envoys' visit, while Russia did not immediately comment. The trip comes after CIA director John Ratcliffe's rare Moscow visit last week and follows repeated diplomatic travel by Witkoff and Kushner, who have also negotiated ceasefires in Gaza and Iran.