Full Breakdown
U.S. Envoys Land in Moscow as Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Talks Resume
9/5/2026, 7:47:56 PM
Arrival and Planned itinerary
On September 5 2026 the United States special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner touched down at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. They were greeted by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who posted a welcome video on X. The delegation will meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on September 5 and travel to Kyiv on September 6—the first visit to the Ukrainian capital since President Donald Trump returned to office.
Background to the diplomatic push
The war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 is now in its fifth year. Earlier U.S.-mediated settlement attempts stalled after the United States shifted attention to its war with Iran in early 2026. Witkoff has met Putin repeatedly since 2025, while Kushner joined those talks in late 2025. Their last joint visit to Moscow was in January 2026, when they held a four-hour discussion with Putin. Since then, ceasefire negotiations have been frozen, with the most recent trilateral talks ending in February 2026.
Recent escalation and casualty figures
In the days surrounding the envoys’ arrival, Russia intensified aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in central Kyiv on September 4, wounding dozens. Overnight strikes also hit Kyiv’s main airport and Boryspil International Airport. According to a CNN tally, at least 53 people have been killed and 134 injured in Kyiv and the surrounding region since the start of a wave of attacks on August 27. Other outlets have reported similar civilian casualties but have not provided exact numbers.
Official statements & responses
- President Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day pause in Russian strikes on Kyiv, beginning at midnight on September 5, linking the ceasefire to the diplomatic contacts. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated the pause and said the United States would likely seek a reciprocal Ukrainian commitment.
- Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the envoys, stating, “Welcome to Moscow, peacemakers Witkoff and Kushner.”
- Russian officials reiterated that any settlement must respect the “unshakeable” position set out two years earlier, which demands Ukraine cede the four regions claimed by Russia and abandon NATO aspirations.
On-the-ground reports
Ukrainian authorities described the SBU headquarters strike as a “major escalation,” with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reporting at least nine injuries. The attack targeted the office of acting SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad, who was not present. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a Russian drone hit an industrial facility in Kamianske, killing five and injuring five, while additional strikes damaged residential buildings in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.
Conflicting reports & gaps
Casualty counts from the recent wave of attacks vary: CNN cites 53 deaths and 134 injuries since August 27, whereas other sources mention “at least five” fatalities in specific regional strikes without a consolidated total. No official Russian figure has been released, leaving the overall human toll unclear. While the Kremlin announced a three-day ceasefire, subsequent reports indicated sporadic Russian strikes continued in Kyiv, creating uncertainty about full implementation.
Verbatim quotes
- “They’re bringing with them a proposal to end the war,” — Donald Trump, president
- “We need to look for real options for how to move this war toward an end,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian president
- “Welcome to Moscow, peacemakers Witkoff and Kushner,” — Kirill Dmitriev, Reuters witness
These statements capture the high-level positions of the principal actors as the diplomatic mission proceeds.
