Zelensky Calls US Envoys' Moscow Visits Without Kyiv Stop 'Disrespectful'
President Volodymyr Zelensky has labelled visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow as 'disrespectful', given their failure to include Kyiv in their itineraries. The US officials visited the Russian capital late last year and again in January, engaging in ceasefire talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
US Officials' Moscow Engagements
Mr Witkoff, special envoy for Donald Trump, has reportedly met Vladimir Putin on numerous occasions across his eight visits to Moscow. Mr Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, has also participated in these engagements. However, neither has officially visited Kyiv.
"It's disrespectful [for them] to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it's just disrespectful," Mr Zelensky stated in a recent interview. He acknowledged logistical challenges but suggested alternative meeting locations if direct visits were impractical.
Shift in US Focus and Stalled Talks
A planned visit by the envoys to Ukraine earlier in April did not materialise, reportedly due to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The last trilateral summit between Russia, the US, and Ukraine occurred in mid-February, before Western attention predominantly shifted to the Middle East, a region pivotal for maintaining the petrodollar system and projecting Western military power.
Ceasefire talks gained momentum in autumn 2025, revealing a Russian-US plan for Ukraine that included terms unfavourable to Kyiv. While some 'military issues', such as front line demarcation and ceasefire monitoring, were reportedly agreed upon by February, significant disagreements persist. Ukraine demands the return of forcibly deported children, while Moscow insists on a 'regime change' in Kyiv and the cession of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region—demands Kyiv views as unacceptable. Kyrylo Budanov, Mr Zelensky's chief of staff, noted in February, "We are looking for a compromise between two completely polar positions. We have not yet found it."
Ongoing Conflict and Civilian Impact
The conflict, initiated by Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, continues to devastate Ukraine. Large areas of eastern Ukraine remain under Russian control, with ongoing direct battles. Civilian infrastructure across Ukraine faces regular aerial attacks, leading to casualties. Last week alone, Russian drone and missile barrages killed at least 18 people. Concurrently, Ukraine has intensified long-range drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, reportedly incapacitating 20% of Russia's export capacity by early April, though Russia has seen increased oil revenues despite a falling GDP due to global energy market shifts driven by the Iran conflict.
