Photo: Gian Ehrenzeller / EPA
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner declined to travel to Kyiv on a visit planned for April. That was reported by Kyiv Independent, citing sources.
According to the outlet’s sources, the main reason was the complete lack of progress in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. They said the United States saw little point in a trip that would only further underscore the deadlock in the negotiating process.
“They promised many times to visit Kyiv, but so far have not fulfilled that promise even once,” a source told the publication. According to the source, Ukraine is disappointed by the imbalance in diplomatic engagement, as the American side prefers to conduct talks with Russia.
Shifting priorities
Media outlets have repeatedly reported that the US president has focused on the war with Iran at the expense of other areas.
In particular, it emerged today that the United States warned its European allies about delays in weapons deliveries. Financial Times writes that those delays are partly linked to serious concerns in Washington over US military stockpiles depleted during the war with Iran.
In addition, the US will wind down its mission overseeing the ceasefire in Gaza, Reuters reports. According to the agency’s sources, the civil-military coordination center failed to meet its objectives. Reuters also says White House efforts to rebuild Gaza were de facto put on hold after the United States began a joint war against Iran with Israel.
Context
The latest round of talks between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia took place on February 16. The subsequent meeting was postponed shortly before US and Israeli strikes on Iran.