Witkoff and Kushner call Kyiv talks ‘substantive’ after Moscow Putin meeting : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-09-06 04:51:00 — www.npr.org
President Trump Signals New Proposals in Ukraine Talks, Faces Stalemate Over Russian Demands
President Trump had suggested that his envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, were bringing new proposals to Ukraine in a fresh round of U.S.-brokered diplomacy. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shown little willingness to consider the territorial concessions that Moscow insists are non-negotiable—a sticking point that has stalled previous negotiations.
The Trump administration’s diplomatic push comes after Kushner and Witkoff held lengthy, closed-door talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, which produced no announced breakthrough toward ending the war. Following those discussions, Kushner described the meetings in Kyiv with Zelenskyy as “substantive,” while Witkoff said he was “very encouraged.” Details of the proposals or any progress remain unclear, with both sides tight-lipped about specifics.
Zelenskyy reiterated before meeting the U.S. envoys that any agreement must include security guarantees and a “dignified post-war peace.” The persistent impasse over Russia’s territorial demands continues to block meaningful progress, despite President Trump’s claims of new diplomatic efforts.
As the conflict grinds on, both Ukrainian and Russian forces have intensified air attacks, and concerns are mounting among NATO members about Russian sabotage and cyberattacks in Europe. The situation remains tense, with little indication that the Trump administration’s latest diplomatic overtures will resolve the deadlock over Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In summary, while President Trump has positioned his administration as actively seeking a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, the fundamental disagreements over territorial concessions remain unresolved, casting doubt on the prospects for a breakthrough.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/06/nx-s1-5959657/us-envoys-witkoff-kushner-talks-in-kyiv-putin-moscow