Zelensky Slams US Envoys: Calls Moscow Visits Without Kyiv Stop 'Disrespectful'

President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for visiting Moscow multiple times while skipping Kyiv, calling the move "disrespectful." Amid shifting US focus toward Middle East conflicts, Zelensky emphasized the importance of continued cooperation despite the diplomatic snub and stalled ceasefire negotiations.

Zelensky Criticizes US Envoys for Bypassing Kyiv

President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed strong disapproval regarding the travel patterns of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. " The President noted that while he understands the complexities of logistics, the lack of an official visit to the Ukrainian capital sends a negative signal. "It's disrespectful [for them] to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it's just disrespectful," Zelensky stated, adding that meetings could be arranged in third countries if the envoys are unwilling to travel to Ukraine.

Role of US Envoys and Moscow Engagements

Steve Witkoff, a former real estate magnate and Donald Trump's special envoy, along with Jared Kushner, the US president's son-in-law, visited the Russian capital late last year and again in January. These visits occurred as ceasefire talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine gained momentum. Witkoff has reportedly visited Moscow eight times and has met with Vladimir Putin on numerous occasions. However, neither Witkoff nor Kushner has ever visited Kyiv in an official capacity. Zelensky mentioned that a trip to Ukraine was planned for April, but it never materialized due to the escalation of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

Deadlock in Ceasefire Negotiations

Ceasefire negotiations saw increased activity in the autumn of 2025 when it was revealed that Russian and US officials were drafting a plan that included terms unfavorable to Kyiv. By mid-February, a trilateral summit took place, and both Moscow and Kyiv reported reaching agreements on certain "military issues," such as ceasefire monitoring and the location of the front line.

Current State of the Four-Year Conflict

Kyrylo Budanov, Zelensky's chief of staff, remarked in February that the parties are searching for a compromise between polar positions but have yet to find one. He stated that both sides must eventually either find a solution or accept responsibility for continuing the conflict. The war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, has now raged for over four years. Large areas of eastern Ukraine remain under Russian occupation, with active combat continuing along a front line stretching from Luhansk in the north-east to Kherson in the south. Last week, Russia launched a massive aerial assault involving over 700 drones and missiles, resulting in at least 18 civilian deaths. In response, Ukraine has increased its long-range drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, including ports, factories, and oil terminals deep within Russian territory.