US President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are discussing alternative plans for their visit to Kyiv in the coming days amid Russian intimidation.

Source: Kyiv Independent, citing a source familiar with the matter, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The source told Kyiv Independent that Witkoff and Kushner plan to visit Moscow and Kyiv on 5-6 September, but Witkoff has “started to get scared” of travelling to the Ukrainian capital.

“The Russians don’t want them to come here to Kyiv, and Witkoff is always sensitive to Russian sentiment,” the person said. “They’re being told there that it’s dangerous.”

Background:

• The report came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Witkoff and Kushner have confirmed that they might visit Ukraine. This comes as Kyiv is facing continuous attacks by Russian jet-powered drones, which entered their ninth consecutive day on 4 September.
• Russian media outlets reported that Witkoff and Kushner will arrive in Moscow before travelling to Kyiv. According to TASS, this is expected to take place on 5-6 September.
• Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow on 25 August. Trump said that “something may come of it”.

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