Ceasefire in Ukraine

 

Emil Forsberg

 

Published 23.05 Updated 23.10

Donald Trump's envoys began to get cold feet before the trip to Kiev.

- They have been told that it is dangerous, sources told the Kiev Independent.

Now a four-day ceasefire has been announced to save the visit.

After four and a half years of war, Donald Trump now hopes that a peace agreement can be reached between Russia and Ukraine.

Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are therefore traveling to both Moscow and Kiev this weekend to hold negotiations.

On Friday evening, a four-day ceasefire was announced in Ukraine due to the visit, sources told Channel 24.

Be afraid

The trip has been discussed for several months, but in recent days there has been a back and forth, sources told Axios.

According to the Kyiv Independent, Witkoff felt afraid to visit the Ukrainian capital.

- The Russians do not want them to come here to Kyiv and Witkoff is always sensitive to Russian feelings. They have been told that it is dangerous, says a source.

Kyiv has been attacked by drones every day for the past week, which has prompted the authorities to close the airspace over the airport. The envoy's plans to fly to Kyiv therefore encountered logistical obstacles. According to the Kyiv Independent, Witkoff also felt "uncomfortable taking the train".

- The visit is planned, but may still be cancelled, says a source in the Trump administration.

First visit

During CIA director John Ratcliffe's visit to Russia last week, Ukraine was urged not to attack Moscow. Russia is said to have received a similar call before the envoy's visit to Kyiv, according to Acios.

The envoys have made several trips to Moscow since Trump took office, but the visit to Kiev will be their first.

"We are ready to meet with them in Ukraine. It is very important that the United States remains active," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.