U.S. presidential special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner made their first public statements on the progress of negotiations and the path to peace following their visit to Kyiv and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to the American side, a substantive conversation took place in the Ukrainian capital, and the negotiation process is planned to continue on a daily basis. The visit, according to media reports, marked the first arrival of both representatives in Kyiv, and the meeting with Zelenskyy took place at Sofiyska Square.
First Impressions: A "Wonderful" Trip
Steve Witkoff thanked the Ukrainian side for its hospitality and described the trip to Ukraine as "wonderful." He emphasized that the American delegation had a substantive conversation with Ukrainian representatives and intends to remain in the country for as long as necessary to advance the negotiation process. "We had a very significant, substantive, and important conversation. We are very inspired. We plan to stay here as long as needed," Witkoff stated.
Trump's Message: Not Just the End of the War
Jared Kushner, in turn, conveyed President Donald Trump's respect to Zelenskyy. He noted that the American leader considers the situation complex, as it is not only about ending the war but also about creating the conditions for a long-term peace. According to Kushner, Trump wants Ukraine to be able to use its potential for recovery and development once hostilities end. "Trump really wants that. He is not afraid of difficult tasks — the more difficult the task, the more persistently you need to work and give everything you have," the U.S. representative added.
Economy and Investments After a Ceasefire
Separately, Kushner stated that Trump seeks to stop the loss of life and then resume investments and economic cooperation, which, in his words, should contribute to the prosperity of both Ukraine and Europe. In this context, the American representative thanked partners from Germany and France, as well as the World Bank, for their cooperation in preparing for post-war recovery.
The Negotiation Process: Meetings Every Day
Kushner reported that meetings with Ukrainian representatives are effectively scheduled for every day, so the negotiation process should continue without pauses. "We hope that as a result of this trip we will find a new path to peace," he stated. Summing up, the U.S. representative noted: "So we are constantly moving forward to achieve peace."
Context of the Visit
According to Ukrainian media, Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Kyiv and met with Zelenskyy at Sofiyska Square; a number of publications note that this is their first arrival in the Ukrainian capital. President Zelenskyy, in turn, reported that the American representatives would hold negotiations in Kyiv with Ukraine and European partners. Thus, the visit consolidates the format of daily consultations and is aimed at developing a new path to peace, taking into account economic and European components.
