US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Moscow and Kyiv as Washington seeks security assurances for talks aimed at advancing a Russia-Ukraine peace deal.

US Envoys Plan Russia Trip

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are preparing for a diplomatic mission to Moscow and Kyiv as Washington seeks progress towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

The two envoys are expected to travel to Moscow on Saturday and Kyiv on Sunday, according to Russian state media and US reports. However, Reuters reported that the plans had not been fully finalised because Washington was seeking security commitments from both Russia and Ukraine.

The proposed mission comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with both countries continuing intense drone and missile attacks.

Security Assurances Sought

Washington is seeking assurances that Ukraine will not launch attacks on Moscow while the American delegation is in the region and that Russia will refrain from striking Kyiv.

A source cited by Reuters said discussions over the proposed security arrangement were still underway.

The concern became more pressing after a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's Security Service in central Kyiv on Friday. The attack sent smoke over the Ukrainian capital and came amid a prolonged period of Russian air attacks.

The security situation has therefore become a central factor in determining whether the US delegation can travel according to the proposed schedule.

Zelenskyy Offers Temporary Truce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy separately proposed a temporary halt to air attacks during the American envoys' visit.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to stop carrying out airstrikes and called on Russia to reciprocate for as long as necessary to conduct the diplomatic meetings.

“There will be no airstrikes on our part,” Zelenskyy said in his evening address, according to AFP.

The proposal is designed to reduce the immediate risk to the US delegation while creating conditions for face-to-face discussions.

Kyiv Attack Raises Stakes

The proposal came only hours after Russia targeted the SBU headquarters in central Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said the drone was directed at the central SBU building on Volodymyrska Street, close to the historic St Sophia Cathedral.

Ukrainian officials described the attack as a major escalation. Five people were reportedly injured, while emergency services and security personnel were deployed around the site.

The timing has raised questions over whether the latest attack could affect Witkoff and Kushner's planned visit to Kyiv.

Moscow And Kyiv Talks

Witkoff and Kushner have already played a prominent role in Trump's diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Both men have held meetings with Russian officials in Moscow and have been involved in discussions with Ukrainian representatives. Their latest proposed trip would give them another opportunity to hold direct discussions with both sides.

The US administration is seeking a framework that could eventually lead to a broader settlement after more than four years of war.

However, major disagreements remain over territory, security guarantees, military deployments and the future status of occupied Ukrainian regions.

Air War Continues

The diplomatic initiative is unfolding as Russia and Ukraine continue their long-range air campaign.

Russia has repeatedly launched drones and missiles against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has carried out drone attacks against targets inside Russia.

Ukrainian officials have also raised concerns over increasingly sophisticated Russian drones that can travel at high speeds and place additional pressure on the country's air-defence network.

Meanwhile, Moscow has accused Kyiv of escalating attacks on Russian territory and has continued to insist that Ukraine must address Russia's security concerns as part of any settlement.

What Happens Next

The immediate question is whether Washington can secure sufficient guarantees for Witkoff and Kushner to proceed with their planned Moscow-Kyiv itinerary.

If the security arrangements are completed, the envoys could meet Russian officials in Moscow before travelling to Kyiv for discussions with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials.

The temporary ceasefire proposal from Kyiv could provide a limited window for diplomacy, but its success depends on Russia agreeing to reciprocal restraint.

The Witkoff-Kushner peace mission therefore faces a difficult test even before the talks begin. The latest attacks demonstrate how quickly military developments can undermine diplomatic efforts, while Washington's demand for security assurances highlights the risks involved in conducting negotiations during an active war.