Politics

U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 6, 2026.
Politics

Exclusive: Ukraine, Russia are done with Steve Witkoff. Trump sees no problem

by Tim Zadorozhnyy

Kyiv and Moscow are growing increasingly frustrated with the U.S.-mediated peace process — and with Washington's Envoy Steve Witkoff, people familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent. Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who has emerged as a key peace negotiator, traveled to Russia and Ukraine in early September in an attempt to restart stalled negotiations. They left both countries with little to show for the effort. Behind the scenes, however, several separate efforts are

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Ukraine war latest: Zelensky approves 'new long-range operations' in response to Russian strikes

Key developments on Sept. 19-20: * Zelensky approves 'new long-range operations' in response to Russian strikes * Moscow Oil Refinery ablaze after massive Ukraine missile, drone blitz on Russia * Ukraine reveals new Operation Vivaldi gains in Donetsk Oblast * US Army awards $10.6 million contract for Ukrainian Raybird drones * No tanks, lone soldiers — Ukraine details new Russian assault tactics President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 19 that he had approved new long-range operations i

Why Zelensky is facing a political crisis

The Kyiv Independent’s reporter Kateryna Denisova and War Crimes Investigations Unit journalist and political blogger Danylo Mokryk argue that recent corruption scandals, tensions around anti-corruption institutions, and a growing lack of political accountability are changing the balance of power inside Ukraine.

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