Two of Donald Trump's closest advisers are on their way to Moscow and Kyiv — carrying, for the first time, a written American proposal to end the war in Ukraine. The president confirmed Friday that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been dispatched, with Moscow reportedly first on the itinerary for Saturday and Kyiv following on Sunday. "They're bringing with them a proposal to end the war," Trump told reporters, adding that "there may be a good chance we'll do it." The mission represents Washington's most concrete diplomatic push since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 — a conflict that has now killed and wounded hundreds of thousands of people on both sides.

Recent months have been particularly brutal. Long-range missile and drone exchanges have intensified sharply, driving civilian casualties to levels not seen since the opening weeks of the war. Peace efforts had effectively stalled as Washington's attention was consumed by its confrontation with Iran, leaving European capitals increasingly alarmed. Witkoff and Kushner have visited Moscow multiple times before, and both were central to ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.

Neither, however, has set foot in Kyiv since Trump returned to the White House last January with a campaign pledge to resolve the conflict "within 24 hours." A senior Ukrainian official confirmed to AFP that the envoys were expected Sunday. The Kremlin declined to comment on any of the reported details. What remains entirely unclear is the shape of any deal being proposed.

Trump refused to say whether his plan involves Ukraine surrendering territory — something Kyiv has repeatedly ruled out as a red line.