Full Breakdown
US Envoys Meet Zelensky in Moldova, Discuss Ukraine Peace Prospects
6/9/2026, 8:56:26 PM
US Envoys Meet Zelensky in Moldova
On 8 June 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner at Chisinau Airport, Moldova. Zelensky called the brief discussion “very positive” and praised the envoys’ “readiness to work as actively as possible already in the weeks to come” toward ending the war that began in 2022.
Diplomatic Context and Recent Moves
Mediation led by Witkoff and Kushner stalled in February after the United States and Israel struck Iran. The United States has kept contacts with Moscow and Kyiv, while the Kremlin rejected European peace proposals as “illogical and wrong.” On 9 June 2024 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no Trump-Putin call is scheduled and that Russia would welcome a visit by the U.S. envoys, though no date is set.
Key Actors
Key actors: Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, senior adviser Jared Kushner, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump.
Official Statements & Responses
The Kremlin said talks with United States continue and that “the mediation process on Ukraine is on hold.” Peskov noted there are no scheduled Trump-Putin calls and that Russia would welcome a visit by the U.S. envoys. Zelensky thanked the envoys for their “readiness to work … to give a boost to diplomacy for ending Russia’s war against Ukraine” and said a Ukraine-Russia dialogue is being considered for the G7 summit in Evian.
Criticism & Opposition
Peskov dismissed European mediation as “illogical and wrong,” arguing that European leaders appear more inclined to “continue the war rather than peace talks.”
Conflicting Accounts
Peskov stated the Kremlin had not been informed of Zelensky’s call with the U.S. envoys, while the Ukrainian president publicly confirmed the conversation. U.S. officials claim ongoing contacts with Moscow, yet the Kremlin emphasizes the absence of any scheduled high-level leader-to-leader dialogue.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A very positive conversation,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
- “Grateful for the readiness to work as actively as possible already in the weeks to come to give a boost to diplomacy for ending Russia's war against Ukraine,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
- “There are currently no scheduled plans for a telephone conversation between United States President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced, according to a Reuters report on June 9.” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman
- “First of all, starting mediation efforts by putting forward certain conditions to Russia is likely illogical and wrong... But the main thing is that, as far as we can see, the Europeans are far more inclined to focus on continuing the war rather than on peace talks,” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman
Future Prospects
The United States will maintain diplomatic pressure through Witkoff and Kushner, with the G7 summit in Evian in June seen as a venue for Ukraine-Russia talks. The Kremlin says it is ready to receive the envoys, while no Trump-Putin call date has been set.
