President Volodymyr Zelensky has described visits by US envoys to Moscow without corresponding trips to Kyiv as “disrespectful”, as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine remain stalled.
Speaking in an interview, Zelensky said it was unacceptable that US representatives travelled repeatedly to Russia while not making official visits to Ukraine.
“It’s disrespectful to come to Moscow and not Kyiv,” he said, referring to the actions of US envoys.
US envoys engaged in Moscow talks
The remarks relate to visits by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who travelled to Moscow multiple times during ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Witkoff, serving as a special envoy for Donald Trump, has reportedly met Vladimir Putin on several occasions. However, neither envoy has visited Kyiv in an official capacity.
Zelensky acknowledged logistical challenges but said meetings could have taken place in alternative locations if necessary.
Focus shifts to Middle East tensions
Zelensky noted that the attention of the United States has recently shifted toward the Middle East, particularly amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
He said planned visits by the envoys to Ukraine earlier in April did not materialise as geopolitical priorities changed.
Despite this, he stressed that cooperation with the United States remains crucial.
Ceasefire talks at a standstill
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire gained momentum in late 2025, with US and Russian officials working on proposals to end the conflict.
Ukraine pushed for involvement in the talks, leading to several rounds of meetings and a trilateral summit in February.
While some progress was reported on military issues, including ceasefire monitoring, major disagreements remain unresolved.
Critical sticking points include Russia’s demand for territorial concessions in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas region, which Kyiv rejects.
Ukraine has also called for the return of children it says were forcibly deported by Russia, while Moscow continues to insist on political changes in Kyiv.
Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that negotiations remain deadlocked due to these opposing positions.
Ongoing conflict and attacks
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, continues to affect daily life across Ukraine.
Large parts of eastern Ukraine remain under Russian control, while fighting continues along an extensive front line.
Recent attacks have included large-scale drone and missile strikes, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
At the same time, Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, impacting export capacity while global energy dynamics continue to shift.
Also read: Russian drone and missile attacks in Ukraine kill at least 15
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