Witkoff, Kushner Expected in Kyiv for First Visit Around Independence Day

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to make their first visit to Kyiv in the second half of August, potentially attending events marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Alex Raufoglu reported on Thursday, citing two people familiar with the travel plans, that the pair could visit Kyiv around Independence Day on Aug. 24.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The planned trip emerged following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s closed-door meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. If confirmed, it would be the first time either envoy has visited Ukraine since becoming one of Washington’s principal intermediaries in efforts to end Russia’s war. Zelensky said Wednesday that he expected the visit within the coming weeks and wanted to discuss detailed proposals for restarting trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the US and Russia. He also said the envoys should see the situation inside Ukraine firsthand. First Kyiv visit after repeated Moscow talks The visit would partly correct a long-standing imbalance in Washington’s diplomatic efforts. Witkoff has reportedly traveled to Russia at least eight times during the Trump administration’s efforts to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin back to negotiations. Kushner accompanied him during one of those visits, but neither had traveled to Kyiv. Zelensky had previously urged the two envoys to visit Ukraine, arguing that direct exposure to the consequences of Russia’s attacks was necessary to understand Kyiv’s military and security requirements. Other Topics of Interest Russia Used North Korean Missile in Radushne Strike Which Killed Family of 10 President Zelensky linked the strike to Russia’s alliance with North Korea and renewed his appeal for Patriot, NASAMS and IRIS-T interceptors. A trip to Kyiv would allow Witkoff and Kushner to hold direct consultations with Ukraine’s political and military leadership and assess the country’s air-defense needs as Russia continues its missile and drone attacks. US and Ukrainian officials have also discussed proposing an air ceasefire to Moscow as part of renewed peace efforts. Russia has previously rejected Ukrainian proposals to halt strikes. Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US, Olha Stefanishyna, confirmed that the possibility of a visit was discussed during the White House meetings but cautioned that the arrangements remained unfinished. “Whether the visit ultimately takes place remains to be seen,” she said. The potential visit comes as US senators push to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, named after the late Republican senator and prominent supporter of Ukraine. Kyiv views stronger sanctions and continued Ukrainian strikes against Russia’s military and energy infrastructure as essential tools for forcing Putin to reconsider his refusal to end the war. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.