‘Disrespectful’: Zelenskyy Questions US Team’s Moscow Trips Without Kyiv Visit

Last Updated:April 21, 2026, 18:43 IST

Russia-Ukraine War: Zelenskyy said he understood that logistics and wartime conditions could complicate travel but stressed that alternatives existed.

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised visits by senior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow without making an official trip to Kyiv, calling the approach “disrespectful" as efforts to end the war remain stalled.

Zelenskyy said the repeated visits to the Russian capital, without similar engagement in Ukraine, sent the wrong signal at a sensitive time in ceasefire negotiations. He said, It’s disrespectful to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it’s just disrespectful."

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Who Are The US Envoys Zelenskyy Talked About?

Steve Witkoff, a former real estate executive, serves as US President Donald Trump’s special envoy. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, has also been involved in diplomatic outreach. The pair travelled to Moscow late last year as talks aimed at ending the Ukraine war gathered pace. They returned again in January. Witkoff alone has reportedly visited Moscow eight times and has met Russian President Vladimir Putin on several occasions. Neither Witkoff nor Kushner has visited Kyiv in an official capacity.

What Zelenskyy Said

Zelenskyy said he understood that logistics and wartime conditions could complicate travel but stressed that alternatives existed. He said, “If they don’t want to, we can meet in other countries."

Earlier this month, Zelenskyy had said the two envoys were planning to visit Ukraine. That trip never took place after global attention shifted to the escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran. Witkoff and Kushner are now part of the US delegation travelling to Pakistan for ceasefire talks involving Iran.

Read more: Trump Says US Militarily Ready To Move Against Iran, Signals No Ceasefire Extension

Zelenskyy acknowledged that the United States is currently heavily engaged elsewhere but said ties with Washington remain vital.

“In any case, for us it is important to continue cooperating with the Americans," he said.

Where Do Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Stand?

Ukraine ceasefire discussions gained momentum in late 2025 after reports emerged that Russian and US officials had been exploring a framework to end the war. Ukraine later pushed to be included, leading to multiple summits and meetings. By February, both Kyiv and Moscow said progress had been made on some military issues, including front-line positioning and ceasefire monitoring.

News world ‘Disrespectful’: Zelenskyy Questions US Team’s Moscow Trips Without Kyiv Visit

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