Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, serving as special envoys for President-elect Donald Trump, are reportedly planning a diplomatic mission to Moscow and Kyiv. According to reports from the Russian state-run news agency Tass, the envoys are expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin before traveling to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The purpose of the visit is to explore potential pathways toward ending the conflict in Ukraine. However, the mission has sparked debate regarding its diplomatic efficacy. Critics argue that meeting with the Russian leadership provides an unearned sense of legitimacy to the Kremlin’s position, potentially undermining the Ukrainian government’s stance. Conversely, supporters of the administration’s approach suggest that direct engagement is a necessary step to facilitate any viable peace negotiations.

There is currently no official confirmation from the Trump transition team regarding the specific agenda or the exact timing of these meetings. The reports rely heavily on information attributed to unnamed sources within the Russian state media apparatus. As the envoys prepare for these high-stakes discussions, the international community remains divided on whether such back-channel diplomacy will lead to a breakthrough or merely serve as a platform for Russian propaganda.