US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Hold First Talks in Kyiv, Third Round Expected: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday, September 6, 2026, that two rounds of talks with U.S. envoys have concluded and a third round is expected, marking the first visit of Trump administration emissaries to Kyiv since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022.

The U.S. delegation, led by special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, arrived in the Ukrainian capital by train from Poland. The talks represent a significant shift in diplomatic engagement: while Witkoff and Kushner have visited Moscow eight times previously to discuss ending the war, they had never before held face-to-face meetings in Ukraine Al Jazeera.

In a video published by the Ukrainian president, Zelenskyy said, “It is very important that the delegation has arrived to see us. We have been waiting a long time for Steve and Jared, Witkoff and Kushner.” He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for “allowing them to come” despite the ongoing war Ukrainska Pravda.

The envoys’ trip to Kyiv came just a day after they met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The back-to-back meetings indicate a renewed push by the Trump administration to broker an end to Europe’s worst conflict since World War II, following a summer of heightened tensions along the front line.

Speaking after the talks, Witkoff described the discussions as “substantive, important” and said the U.S. team was “very encouraged” by the engagement. Kushner, for his part, said Trump wanted “not just to figure out how we end the current war, but how do we create the right conditions and arrangements for a long-term, durable peace” Ukrainska Pravda.

Zelenskyy confirmed that two rounds of talks have already been completed, and a third is expected. The Ukrainian side did not release details on the specific topics discussed or any outcomes, but the president noted that Ukraine’s top security officials and negotiators were present at the first session. A second session was scheduled with European national security advisers, underscoring the involvement of Ukraine’s allies in the process.

“We are expecting one session of our talks, and then another session will be held with the European NSAs [national security advisers]. Several important sessions,” Zelenskyy said, according to Al Jazeera.

The presence of European advisers highlights the delicate balancing act Washington must perform: while the Trump administration has pursued direct talks with Moscow, Kyiv and its European partners insist on being included in any negotiations that affect their security. The fact that the U.S. envoys met Putin in Moscow before coming to Kyiv – without a prior visit to Ukraine – had drawn criticism from some European officials, but Zelenskyy’s public welcome suggests a pragmatic willingness to engage.

No timeline has been given for the next round, but the announcement that talks are continuing rather than breaking off will be seen as a modest positive signal. The war remains deadlocked in eastern and southern Ukraine, with no major territorial changes reported in recent weeks.

For Ukraine, the arrival of Kushner and Witkoff in Kyiv – however belated – sends a signal that Washington is treating the Ukrainian government as more than just a party to be informed after decisions are made. For the first time, the envoys have seen the reality of a capital under daily drone and missile threat, something that may influence their approach in future rounds.

As of now, neither the White House nor Kyiv has disclosed whether the third round will take place in person or remotely, or whether it will involve a renewed ceasefire proposal. What is clear is that after eight trips to Moscow and none to Kyiv, the Trump team’s diplomatic geography has finally shifted.