Kathrine Frich
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Kyiv in the second half of August.
When a conflict drags on for years, the path to peace often happens far from the battlefield.
Quiet conversations in distant capitals suddenly carry real weight. Now, a fresh push for diplomacy is officially in motion.
Pushing for peace
Ukraine is formally asking Washington for help at the negotiating table. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that his government has handed over new ideas for peace talks with Russia.
The move follows an update from his own negotiating team. They recently sat down with American officials to map out the next steps.
“We have conveyed our proposals to the American side,” Zelensky stated, according to a report from the Polish Press Agency.
He wants the United States to step up its military backing while leaning heavily on Moscow.
Focus on the sky
Air defense remains a top priority for Kyiv as Russian attacks continue to target infrastructure.
“America can help our defense, especially air defense, and put pressure on Russia to change its plans, prepare for the end of the war and not prolong it,” the Ukrainian president explained.
This renewed diplomatic effort comes after a major pause. Washington had stepped back from its role as a mediator in late February.
At the time, the outbreak of war with Iran forced the US to shift its foreign policy focus elsewhere.
A change of pace
Now, American leaders seem ready to return to the table. Behind closed doors, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently signaled a shift in strategy.
On August 1, Rubio noted that Washington will spend the coming weeks figuring out if fresh talks between Kyiv and Moscow are actually possible.
If the conditions are right, the US is fully prepared to back those complex negotiations.
That renewed interest could soon bring high-profile Americans back to Ukrainian soil.
Anniversary visits
Meanwhile, preparations are already underway for a major diplomatic trip. Local media outlets report that two special presidential envoys are currently packing their bags.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Kyiv in the second half of August.
By coincidence, the timing of their visit lines up perfectly with a massive national milestone. Ukraine officially celebrates its 35th Independence Day on August 24.
The arrival of American envoys during such a historic week would send a clear message to both allies and enemies.
Sources: Polish Press Agency
