U.S. envoys expected to visit Russia, Ukraine for peace talks

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Russia and Ukraine this weekend in a renewed diplomatic push to broker an end to the war, according to reports, though the Kremlin has declined to confirm the itinerary. The planned trips come as a vast gulf remains between Moscow and Kyiv on the terms for a potential settlement. Russian state news agency TASS reported on September 4 that the two envoys would visit both countries on Saturday and Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also said on September 3 that Trump's representatives were expected in Moscow and Kyiv in the coming days. However, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters that discussions on the Ukraine portion of the trip were still taking place, with Sunday mentioned as a possible date. The source added that Russian officials did not want the envoys to visit Kyiv and were attempting to change the plan. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, when asked about the TASS report, told reporters, "I wouldn't make any announcements right now, but we will inform you when these contacts take place.