Bloomberg: Hopes for Ukraine peace deal remain low amid Trump's envoys visit

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Moscow on September 5 for talks on ending the war in Ukraine, but expectations for a breakthrough remain low, according to people familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking speaking to Bloomberg.

The officials are expected to present a proposal aimed at reviving stalled peace efforts, although it remains unclear whether they are bringing any new initiatives capable of breaking the deadlock.

People close to the Kremlin said previous visits by Witkoff and Kushner had failed to produce meaningful progress and there was little reason to expect a different outcome this time. They said Russian President Vladimir Putin remained prepared to end the war only on terms acceptable to Moscow and believed Russia currently held the military advantage.

The main obstacle remains territory. Moscow continues to seek Ukrainian territorial concessions, particularly in the Donbas, while Kyiv has repeatedly rejected any agreement that would require it to surrender territory.

Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to Kyiv on September 6 after their meetings in Moscow, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency. The planned visit would mark their first trip to Ukraine since the start of the war and has raised hopes in Kyiv for a renewed diplomatic push.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is prepared to ensure an air ceasefire during the envoys’ visit and expects Russia to take reciprocal steps.

Previous U.S.-led negotiations stalled in February, while Washington’s attention subsequently shifted toward the conflict with Iran. The upcoming visits could therefore provide a new opportunity to revive diplomatic efforts, although significant differences between Moscow and Kyiv remain unresolved.

By Sabina Mammadli