Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly criticized the diplomatic approach of key US negotiators who have repeatedly visited Russia while bypassing the Ukrainian capital. In an interview with the BBC, the Ukrainian leader described the actions of US special envoy Steven Witkoff and presidential advisor Jared Kushner as “disrespectful.” Despite their multiple meetings with officials in the Kremlin, neither diplomat has made an official visit to Kyiv. This growing frustration highlights the diplomatic friction between Ukraine and the current US administration amid shifting global priorities.
According to Zelensky, Steven Witkoff has traveled to the Russian capital eight times over the past year, holding direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and a central figure in his diplomatic outreach, has also been involved in these high-level talks. Meanwhile, Ukraine has felt increasingly sidelined in the peace process. Late in 2025, reports emerged of a Washington-Moscow framework aimed at ending the war, which included terms viewed as unfavorable to Kyiv. Ukraine firmly rejected the framework, insisting that any discussions about the country’s future must directly involve its leadership.
The US administration has previously cited complex logistics and security concerns as reasons for the lack of official trips to Ukraine. However, Zelensky offered a pragmatic solution to overcome these hurdles. “If they don’t want to, we can meet in other countries,” he stated, reaffirming Ukraine’s openness to engagement on neutral territory. Earlier in April, there were tentative plans for Witkoff and Kushner to visit Ukraine, but the trip never materialized. This cancellation was largely attributed to the sudden escalation of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, which drastically diverted Washington’s attention to the Middle East. Currently, the US envoys are part of a negotiating team traveling to Pakistan for ceasefire talks regarding Iran.
Despite recognizing that the primary focus of the United States is now on West Asia, Zelensky emphasized that maintaining robust cooperation with Washington remains crucial for Ukraine. The war, which has been raging for over four years, continues to grind on along a massive front line stretching from the Luhansk region to Kherson. For Ukraine, the stakes are existential, and the prospect of an unfavorable peace deal being negotiated behind closed doors remains a significant threat.
Zelensky’s outspoken criticism serves as a clear message to international partners: there can be no decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine. The Ukrainian leadership continues to demand transparency, respect, and direct participation in any diplomatic efforts that shape the future of their nation and European security as a whole.