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Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sharply criticized US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for making multiple trips to Moscow without a single official visit to Kyiv, calling the diplomatic imbalance “disrespectful.” The rebuke comes as the two envoys prepare to join Vice President JD Vance for high-stakes ceasefire negotiations with Iran in Islamabad, while Ukraine’s peace process remains stalled .
“It’s disrespectful [for them] to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it’s just disrespectful.” — President Volodymyr Zelensky
A Pattern of Moscow Visits, No Kyiv Dates
The US envoys’ travel record reveals a stark disparity. Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy, has reportedly visited Moscow eight times, meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on numerous occasions . Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, has also traveled to the Russian capital multiple times as ceasefire talks aimed at ending the Ukraine war gained momentum late last year and again in January .
Neither Witkoff nor Kushner, however, has ever made an official visit to Kyiv .
| US Envoy | Moscow Visits | Kyiv Visits |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Witkoff | 8+ (including meetings with Putin) | 0 |
| Jared Kushner | Multiple (late 2025, January 2026) | 0 |
Sources: BBC, News18, UNI India, multiple news outlets
Zelensky’s Offer: ‘We Can Meet in Other Countries’
While acknowledging that wartime logistics in Ukraine are “complicated,” Zelensky emphasized that alternatives exist and that Ukraine remains open to engagement .
“I understand we have complex logistics… If they don’t want to, we can meet in other countries,” Zelensky said, adding that the location matters less than the outcome. “It’s not about the place, it’s about the result” .
Earlier this month, Zelensky had indicated that the two envoys were planning to visit Ukraine, but that trip never materialized as global attention shifted to the escalating US-Israel war with Iran .
Ukraine’s Exclusion Amid Shifting US Priorities
The diplomatic slight reflects a broader reality: the Middle East has overtaken Ukraine as Washington’s primary foreign policy focus. Witkoff and Kushner are now part of the US delegation traveling to Pakistan for ceasefire talks with Iran, under the leadership of Vice President JD Vance .
Zelensky acknowledged the shift in US attention. “But… in any case, for us it is important to continue cooperating with the Americans,” he said .
The last trilateral summit between Russia, the US, and Ukraine was in mid-February. Less than two weeks later, the US and Israel began striking Iran, and attention pivoted away from ending the war in Ukraine, which has now been raging for more than four years .
The ‘Disrespectful’ Framing
Zelensky’s use of the term “disrespectful” is a deliberate diplomatic signal. While Ukraine depends heavily on continued US military and financial support, the president is asserting that Ukraine’s wartime sacrifices and strategic importance warrant direct engagement at the highest levels .
According to RBC-Ukraine, Zelensky has also suggested that a visit to Kyiv “is needed not by us, but by them,” implying that US envoys would benefit from witnessing firsthand the realities of the war and Ukraine’s defense efforts .
Ongoing Contacts, Stalled Peace Process
Despite the lack of in-person visits, Zelensky confirmed that phone contacts between Ukrainian and US officials continue . The president said the envoys “express a desire to continue communication and negotiations,” and Ukraine remains open to meetings in any format and in any country if they produce results .
The key obstacle to progress, Zelensky noted, remains Russia’s unwillingness to end the war . Moscow has reportedly proposed new conditions that would require Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbas within two months — terms Kyiv has rejected .
Ukraine is also working on an updated security guarantees document aimed at ensuring effective protection against possible new Russian aggression and laying the groundwork for post-war reconstruction .
What Comes Next
As Witkoff and Kushner travel to Islamabad for Iran talks, the question of when — or if — they will finally visit Kyiv remains unanswered. Zelensky has left the door open: “If they don’t want to, we can meet in other countries” .
For now, Ukraine’s president has made his position clear: engaging Moscow while ignoring Kyiv is not just a logistical oversight but a matter of respect — and a signal that Ukraine will not be taken for granted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Zelensky say about US envoys visiting Moscow but not Kyiv?
Zelensky called the disparity “disrespectful,” stating: “It’s disrespectful to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it’s just disrespectful.”
2. How many times have the US envoys visited Moscow?
Steve Witkoff has reportedly visited Moscow eight times, meeting President Putin on several occasions. Jared Kushner has also made multiple trips to the Russian capital.
3. Have Witkoff or Kushner ever visited Kyiv?
No. Neither envoy has made an official visit to Kyiv.
4. Why did the planned visit to Ukraine fall through?
Earlier in April, Zelensky said the two envoys were planning to visit Ukraine, but the trip never materialized as global attention shifted to the US-Israel war with Iran.
5. Is Zelensky refusing to meet the envoys?
No. Zelensky has offered alternatives, stating: “If they don’t want to, we can meet in other countries.”
6. Are US-Ukraine contacts continuing?
Yes. Zelensky confirmed that phone contacts continue and that the envoys have expressed a desire to continue communication and negotiations.
7. What is the status of Ukraine peace talks?
The last trilateral summit was in mid-February. Since then, attention has shifted to the Middle East, and peace efforts remain stalled. Russia has reportedly proposed new withdrawal conditions that Ukraine has rejected.
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