US envoys' ceasefire push draws criticism as Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine
U.S. diplomats Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were rebuked after their cease-fire mission failed and Russia intensified strikes that killed civilians in Kyiv.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of Ukraine’s Kharkiv offensive, hoping to broker a cease-fire, a move that led Ukraine to pause its missile and drone attacks on Moscow and caused a temporary halt in Russian strikes. Their visit was marked by public criticism, with observers calling the effort amateurish. After the envoys left, Russia unleashed a wave of drones and missiles on Kyiv, killing at least four civilians on September 8-9.
Kremlin spokespeople affirmed Russia’s intent to achieve the goals of its "special military operation" and warned any settlement must be on Russian terms. Meanwhile, a Russian drone targeted the headquarters of the SBU, aiming at its head Oleksandr Poklad, and a Russian missile narrowly missed Zelenskyy’s plane in Chisinau. Ukraine continued long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities, while Russia’s defence budget surged to a record $126.7 billion in the first half of the year.
Why it matters
The episode shows how diplomatic overtures can falter amid ongoing combat, affecting civilian safety and the broader war trajectory.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Russia claims strikes on Ukrainian rail hub and vessels as drones hit Russian ports
- Sep 9 Russian drones hit a border crossing in Ukraine’s Odesa region, killing two civilians, and set fire to a building in Kyiv.
- Sep 9 Norway's prime minister said a drone came close to hitting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's aircraft as it took off from Moldova en route to King Harald V's funeral in Oslo.
- Sep 9 Trump said Putin signaled willingness to reach a Ukraine peace deal.
- Sep 10 Zelenskyy met Norwegian leaders in Oslo to discuss further military aid after the drone near‑miss.
- Sep 10 Zelensky called for European and U.S. leaders to take a stronger negotiating role and said Ukraine is ready to make concessions.
- Sep 10 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is hopeful U.S.-backed Ukraine peace talks will restart soon.
- Sep 10 Poland's prime minister said a joint effort with Ukraine stopped an imminent attack on a border crossing and warned Russia may target others soon.
- Sep 11 Sea drones detonated on the Sochi promenade, injuring civilians and prompting evacuations.
- Sep 11 Russia has deployed the new “Web” shield to safeguard energy infrastructure.
- Sep 11 Russia has begun importing Jet A‑1 from South Korea and Egypt.
- Sep 11 Tusk cited a CIA intelligence report outlining possible future scenarios.
- Sep 11 Ukrainian intelligence now reports that daily Russian casualties regularly exceed recruitment capacity.
- Sep 11 Ukrainian drone strikes killed civilians in the Tula and Kursk regions.
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