Witkoff and Kushner leave Kyiv after talks on ceasefire and security

September 7, 2026 at 10:56 PM2 min

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US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner departed Kyiv by train early Monday after weekend talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky said Ukraine is ready for trilateral negotiations in the Ukraine-US-Russia format. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow does not rule out resuming the trilateral format, but it is premature to discuss place and timing.

Key Facts

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner left Kyiv by train on the night of September 7 after their first visit to Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready for trilateral negotiations in the Ukraine-US-Russia format.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow does not rule out resuming the trilateral format, but it is premature to discuss place and timing.
A senior Ukrainian presidential administration source told AFP that this visit was more effective than previous ones.
A French presidential aide said Americans told them that after the Russian State Duma elections on September 18-20, Russia may show new readiness for negotiations.

The Kyiv Visit

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, special representatives of US President Donald Trump, left Kyiv by train on the night of September 7. The train was named 'Peace Express' by Ukrzaliznytsia. During their first visit to Kyiv, they discussed ceasefire options, security guarantees, territorial issues, strengthening Ukrainian air defense, and economic recovery. Witkoff called the talks encouraging and said he brought 'new ideas' from Moscow, where they had been before arriving in Kyiv. Kushner said President Trump tasked them with forming a 'peace package', but acknowledged that ending the war before winter is not guaranteed.

Trilateral Negotiation Prospects

After the meeting, President Zelensky stated Ukraine's readiness for trilateral negotiations in the Ukraine-US-Russia format. Witkoff mentioned on September 7 in a social media post that substantial progress was achieved, including planning for additional trilateral talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow does not rule out resuming the trilateral format, but it is premature to discuss place and timing. A senior Ukrainian presidential administration source told AFP that this visit was more effective than previous ones. According to AFP, citing statements from the Elysee Palace, new momentum in the negotiation process can be expected after the Russian State Duma elections on September 18-20.

Russian Conditions and Reactions

A French presidential aide said on September 7 that Americans told them that after the Duma elections, Russia may show new readiness for negotiations. The aide added that Russia currently insists on unacceptable conditions for organizing a trilateral meeting. The aide said President Putin demands that Ukraine accept all conditions before a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Anna Shelest, director of security programs at the Ukrainian Prism analytical center, cautioned against excessive expectations in Kyiv. Shelest noted that the visit brought important shifts, including the fact that this was the first visit of American representatives to Ukraine, while Witkoff had been to Russia at least five times.