US envoys Witkoff, Kushner arrive in Moscow for talks on peace in Ukraine, sources say - reuters.com

**U.S. Envoys Arrive in Moscow for Ukraine Peace Talks**

Washington sent two senior envoys, **David Witkoff** and **Jared Kushner**, to Moscow on Tuesday in a renewed diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine. Both men were escorted to the Kremlin by Russian officials and are expected to meet senior members of President Vladimir Putin’s foreign‑policy team before traveling to Kyiv later in the week. Their mission, confirmed by multiple sources cited by Reuters, centers on exploring a framework for a cease‑fire and a political settlement that could halt the fighting that has claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced millions since Russia’s full‑scale invasion in February 2022.

The arrival of the American delegation coincided with a rare public statement from President Putin, who announced a **three‑day pause on Russian strikes against Kyiv**. The pause follows a recent cease‑fire proposal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who urged the international community to press Moscow for a sustained truce. Kremlin officials said the temporary halt is a “humanitarian measure” intended to allow the evacuation of civilians and the delivery of aid, while also creating a “conducive environment” for diplomatic talks. Analysts note, however, that such pauses have historically been short‑lived and that the underlying strategic objectives on both sides remain unchanged.

The U.S. team’s itinerary reflects a broader strategy of “track‑two” diplomacy, combining official government channels with informal back‑channel discussions. In addition to meetings in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are slated to meet Ukrainian officials in Kyiv, where they will present Washington’s proposed roadmap for a cease‑fire that includes steps such as a phased withdrawal of Russian forces, security guarantees for Kyiv, and a framework for future negotiations on the status of contested territories. The visits come at a time when NATO allies are debating additional military aid to Kyiv, while Russian officials continue to demand recognition of their “special status” in the Donbas region. Observers say the success of the talks will hinge on whether both Moscow and Kyiv can find common ground on the most contentious issues, especially the timing of any troop withdrawals and the future political status of the occupied regions.