--- title: "Sibiga: Against the backdrop of Russian escalation, some delegations have postponed their visits to Ukraine" description: "Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that, against the backdrop of Russian escalation, some delegations have postponed their visits to Kyiv, without naming them directly. Earlier reports mentioned a possible trip by Witkoff and Kushner on September 5–6." date: 2026-09-04T12:20:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sibiga-some-delegations-postponed-visits-to-ukraine tags: [ukraine, foreign-affairs, andriy-sybiha, us-ukraine, peace-talks, russian-escalation] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Sibiga: Against the backdrop of Russian escalation, some delegations have postponed their visits to Ukraine ![Ukraine Foreign Ministry spokesperson at a microphone against the national flag during a statement on rescheduled delegation visits](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/04/sibiga-chast-delegacij-perenesla-vizity-v-ukrainu/sibiga-chast-delegacij-perenesla-vizity-v-ukrainu-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Sybiha stated that, against the backdrop of Russian escalation, some delegations have postponed their visits to Ukraine, without naming them directly. - When asked about a possible link to the trip of Witkoff and Kushner, the minister did not give a direct answer. - Sybiha called the Russian strikes an attempt to pressure peace initiatives and a “slap in the face” to global peace efforts. - Earlier reports indicated that Witkoff and Kushner were considering a trip to Moscow and Kyiv on September 5–6, while Russia is trying to obstruct the visit. Against the backdrop of intensified Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory, the plans of several foreign delegations to travel to Kyiv have changed. This was stated by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at a joint press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia, Timoçko Mučunski. According to the head of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, some delegations have rescheduled their visits to Ukraine, while he emphasized that the visit by his Macedonian counterpart under such conditions is a demonstration of solidarity with Kyiv. ### A visit of “courage and solidarity” Sybiha separately thanked Timočko Mučunski for coming, calling it a “visit of courage and solidarity against the backdrop of Russian escalation.” “And it is also true and a fact that some delegations have rescheduled their visits to Ukraine, while our friend Timočko is with us today. I really appreciate this,” the Ukrainian minister stated. Thus, Kyiv is publicly noting that diplomatic activity around Ukraine in recent days has become more selective: some guests are canceling their trips, while others, on the contrary, are coming. ### Whom Ukraine's Foreign Ministry did not name directly Journalists asked the minister to clarify whether this could specifically refer to U.S. Presidential representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Sybiha was also asked whether the Russian attack on “Zhuliany” airport could have been linked to a possible visit by the American representatives. The head of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry did not give a direct answer to this question. Instead, he linked the Russian strikes to attempts to pressure Ukraine and international peace initiatives, emphasizing that “Putin chose escalation instead of peace” and, failing to achieve his goals on the battlefield, has resorted to what he called “state terrorism” and “missile terrorism.” ### Contradictory data There is a notable inconsistency between the formulations here. On the one hand, Sybiha states as a completed fact that “some delegations have rescheduled their visits,” but he does not disclose which specific missions are involved and does not directly confirm that this refers to the American representatives. On the other hand, according to earlier reports, Witkoff and Kushner were only considering a trip to Moscow and Kyiv on September 5–6, meaning the visit had not yet been finally confirmed, and according to sources, the Russian side is trying to obstruct it. Thus, the version of a “postponed” specific American delegation and the version of a “considered but unconfirmed” trip do not yet match, and neither side has given a definitive public confirmation. ### Russian strikes as a tool of pressure According to Sybiha, one of the objectives of the Russian attacks remains influencing public sentiment, as well as an attempt to destroy Ukraine's energy system ahead of winter. The minister separately noted the possible impact of Russian strikes on international diplomatic efforts: he stated that what is happening should be viewed in the context of Russia's attempts to obstruct the advancement of the peace process. “And on the other hand, this is also a slap in the face to global peace efforts and an attempt to derail this process. Therefore, this context cannot be dismissed. This is the truth,” the Foreign Minister emphasized. ### Expectations on the Kyiv–Washington line Despite the escalation, Sybiha stated that Kyiv expects continued active engagement with Washington on the issues of a peaceful settlement. “And we expect, I repeat, a new dynamic with our American partners in the peace efforts. We are currently in active dialogue with them and I hope that this dynamic will be achieved in the short term,” the minister said. Thus, the Ukrainian side is publicly maintaining its course of continuing negotiations with the United States, without openly linking the cancellation or postponement of visits to specific names. ### Context: what is known about the trip of the American representatives Earlier reports indicated that Witkoff and Kushner were considering a trip to Moscow and Kyiv on September 5–6. At the same time, according to sources, the Russian side is making attempts to obstruct this visit. As of the current date — September 4, 2026 — the final decision on holding or postponing the trip has not been publicly confirmed by either Kyiv or Washington, which explains the cautious wording of the Ukrainian minister at the press conference. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Was the visit of Witkoff and Kushner to Ukraine postponed? Sybiha gave an answer](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vizit-vitkoffa-ta-kushnera-ukrayinu-perenesli-1788524218.html) - Первичный источник: цитаты Сибиги о переносе визитов делегациями, отказе от прямого ответа по Уиткоффу/Кушнеру и оценке российских ударов. Соответствует тексту статьи. - [Sybiha: The Ukraine–U.S.–Russia negotiation format has exhausted itself](https://www.dw.com/ru/sibiga-format-peregovorov-ukrainassarossia-o-peremirii-iscerpal-seba/a-77266507) - Используется только как фоновый контекст о дипломатической позиции Сибиги по мирным усилиям; не подтверждает факт переноса конкретных визитов. - [Sybiha: Ukraine will initiate EU sanctions against networks recruiting Africans for the Russian army](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/05/26/8036523/) - Подтверждено по источнику pravda.com.ua - [Tehran threatens Ukraine: Sybiha called the head of Iran's Foreign Ministry](https://glavred.info/ukraine/tegeran-ugrozhaet-ukraine-sibiga-pozvonil-glave-mid-irana-10784267.html) - Подтверждено по источнику glavred.info ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Did Sybiha confirm that this refers specifically to the visit of Witkoff and Kushner? **A:** No. To a direct question from journalists about a possible link to the U.S. Presidential representatives, the minister did not give a direct answer and did not name specific delegations. ### Q: What did Sybiha say about the reasons for the delegations postponing their visits? **A:** He linked this to Russian escalation and called the visit by the Macedonian minister a demonstration of solidarity and “courage” under such conditions. ### Q: What dates for the trip of the American representatives were previously discussed? **A:** Earlier reports indicated that Witkoff and Kushner were considering a trip to Moscow and Kyiv on September 5–6, while, according to sources, Russia is trying to obstruct the visit.