Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized US negotiators, specifically Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for their repeated visits to Moscow while failing to make a trip to Kyiv, labeling this action as disrespectful.
These envoys have visited the Russian capital on multiple occasions, including in late 2025 and January 2026, as part of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Witkoff, a frequent visitor to Moscow, has met with President Vladimir Putin numerous times, while neither he nor Kushner has officially visited Ukraine.
It's disrespectful [for them] to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it's just disrespectful, Zelensky remarked during an interview. He expressed understanding of logistical challenges and suggested that if travel to Ukraine wasn't feasible, meetings could be arranged in other countries.
Although it was anticipated that Witkoff and Kushner would visit Ukraine earlier this month, those plans were disrupted by escalating tensions related to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
While the last trilateral summit involving Russia, the US, and Ukraine occurred in mid-February, attention has since shifted to Iran as negotiations regarding the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine appear to have stalled.
Zelensky voiced recognition of the increased focus of the US on the Middle East while emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration with American leadership concerning the Ukrainian crisis.
Complications in the ceasefire discussions continue, with unresolved issues including the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia and the status of occupied Ukrainian territories, particularly in the eastern Donbas region. Both Ukrainian and Russian officials have yet to find a mutual agreement in these negotiations.
