Zelensky: Ukraine will hold off strikes on Russia during Witkoff and Kushner's Moscow trip

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening video address that Kyiv would guarantee the "normal functioning of Russian airspace" while American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are visiting Moscow.

Zelensky said the two envoys will travel to Moscow first, then head to Kyiv on Sunday, September 6.

"Just as during previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so the negotiators can arrive safely. We are looking out for them, not for Russia. There will be no air strikes from our side," Zelensky said.

He added that Russia should likewise suspend its own airstrikes during the talks between Kyiv and Washington.

Witkoff and Kushner have made previous trips to Moscow for negotiations but have never visited Kyiv. According to Ukrainian outlet The Kyiv Independent, the negotiators intend to fly into the Ukrainian capital. Sources have previously said Witkoff finds train travel difficult, which was cited as one reason American negotiators had avoided visiting Ukraine — Kyiv's airspace has been closed since Russia's full-scale invasion began, so foreign delegations typically reach the capital by rail.