Axios: Witkoff and Kushner may visit Moscow later in October for talks with Putin
In short
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner may travel to Moscow later in October for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Axios reported citing a source, as relayed by Russian outlets. The possible trip would follow talks with a Ukrainian delegation and European, NATO and EU representatives on new US proposals to end the conflict in Ukraine.
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US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the US president's son-in-law, may travel to Moscow later in October for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Axios reported citing a source. Interfax quoted the report as saying that, according to an informed source, the visit was not ruled out and would be for further talks with Putin. Meduza, citing Axios, wrote that the two plan to visit Russia before the end of the month to discuss 'new ideas' with the Russian leadership. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
The White House told RIA Novosti that Witkoff and Kushner would meet a Ukrainian delegation on Friday, October 9, to discuss a new single proposal covering all aspects of the conflict, with the aim of ending hostilities. National security advisers of the UK, Germany and France and representatives of the EU and NATO are to join. Interfax, citing Axios, said the meeting would take place in Miami. Kommersant, also citing Axios, said the Russia visit could follow two days of talks in Miami. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
According to Axios, as cited by Interfax and Kommersant, the US ideas include agreeing a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure and on grain shipments, which Kommersant said was sought ahead of winter, as well as security guarantees for Kyiv and postwar reconstruction of Ukraine. Interfax reported that Washington would like to achieve progress before the US midterm elections on November 3, and that the Ukrainian side is broadly skeptical about the prospects of these contacts. Meduza reported that the sources gave no details of the new proposals. [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]
Meduza reported that Witkoff and Kushner presented the proposals to President Donald Trump at the White House on October 8, at a meeting attended by the US Treasury head, national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany and representatives of NATO and the EU. Kommersant said the envoys had agreed a draft agreement and further instructions with Trump. [ 5 , 6 ]
Witkoff and Kushner held talks with Putin in the Kremlin on September 5 and travelled to Kyiv the next day to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. RIA Novosti reported that both the Russian and US sides described those contacts as productive and allowed for a resumption of trilateral talks involving the United States. [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]
Meduza noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in early October that there were currently no prospects for a peace settlement, describing the situation as a 'strategic deadlock'. The Kremlin also said there were no preconditions for such a development, while Zelensky said the US was not doing enough to force Russia to the negotiating table. [ 6 ]
Why it matters
The report points to a new round of US mediation between Russia and Ukraine after Witkoff and Kushner met Putin on September 5. According to Axios, as cited by Interfax, Washington would like to see progress before the US midterm elections on November 3.
Key facts
- Axios, citing a source, reported that Witkoff and Kushner may visit Moscow later in October for talks with Putin. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- The White House told RIA Novosti that Witkoff and Kushner would meet a Ukrainian delegation on Friday, October 9, to discuss a new single proposal covering all aspects of the conflict. [ 1 ]
- National security advisers of the UK, Germany and France and representatives of the EU and NATO are to join the consultations. [ 1 , 5 ]
- Ideas reported by Axios include a pause in strikes on energy infrastructure and on grain shipments, security guarantees for Kyiv and postwar reconstruction of Ukraine. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Witkoff and Kushner presented the new proposals to President Donald Trump at the White House on October 8, Meduza reported citing Axios. [ 6 ]
- Witkoff and Kushner previously held talks with Putin in Moscow on September 5 and travelled to Kyiv to meet Volodymyr Zelensky afterwards. [ 1 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Axios reported that Witkoff and Kushner may visit Moscow in October for talks with Putin. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Before the possible Moscow trip, Witkoff and Kushner are to meet Ukrainian negotiators, with UK, French, German, NATO and EU representatives taking part. [ 1 , 5 ]
- US ideas include halting strikes on energy infrastructure and grain shipments, security guarantees for Kyiv and postwar reconstruction. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Witkoff and Kushner last held talks with Putin in Moscow in early September. [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the Moscow visit will take place. Most outlets report, citing a single Axios source, that the trip 'may' happen or is 'not ruled out'; Meduza's headline says they will come to Moscow soon.
- Length of the talks with the Ukrainian side. The White House told RIA Novosti of a meeting on October 9, while Kommersant, citing Axios, refers to two days of talks in Miami.
- Details of the new US proposals. Meduza reported that Axios's sources gave no details of the 'new proposals'.
- Ukraine's stance on the talks. Only Interfax, citing Axios, reports that the Ukrainian side is broadly skeptical about the prospects of these contacts.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti reports that Witkoff and Kushner may visit Moscow in October for talks with Putin. [ 1 ]
- RBC reports the Axios account of the possible visit. [ 2 ]
- Interfax publishes the Axios report with details of the US ideas. [ 3 ]
- TASS reports, citing Axios, that Witkoff intends to discuss a Ukraine settlement in Moscow in October. [ 4 ]
- Kommersant reports the visit could follow two days of talks in Miami. [ 5 ]
- Meduza reports the envoys presented new proposals to Trump on October 8. [ 6 ]