Trump's peace envoys to visit Moscow and Kyiv over weekend

US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia and Ukraine this weekend, as efforts to end the war appear to be gathering pace.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he will meet the envoys on Sunday, after they visit Moscow on Saturday to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Witkoff and Kushner have led US President Donald Trump's efforts to broker a peace deal, but a gulf remains between the two warring sides.

"They are bringing with them a proposal to end the war," Trump told reporters when asked about the visits.

Earlier on Friday, Zelensky said a Russian drone hit the office of Ukraine's security chief Oleksandr Poklad in Kyiv. Poklad appears to be unharmed.

In a post on social media, Zelensky said he had ordered Poklad, who heads the SBU security service, to respond "adequately" to the attack.

On Saturday, regional authorities said four people had been killed in a Russian strike on the south-eastern city Kamianske.

Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, said five others had been wounded.

Witkoff and Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, have visited Russia multiple times, but the purported talks will be the first in Ukraine.

Zelensky said he would guarantee the safety of Russian airspace during the envoys' visit and called for Russia to do the same for Ukraine.

Russia's state news agency Tass said Witkoff and Kushner were "expected to arrive in Moscow and then to Kyiv... on 5-6 September", quoting a source.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later told reporters: "I wouldn't announce anything, but when these contacts take place, we will inform you."

Meanwhile, Putin told an international economic forum on Thursday that "there are chances" a peace deal could be reached.

"First of all, Moscow and Kyiv must agree between themselves," he said.

But he showed no sign of backing down from his maximalist demands, which included more territorial concessions from Ukraine.

Kyiv and its European allies have repeatedly rejected Putin's terms saying they are tantamount to capitulation.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and currently controls about 20% of its territory.

Zelensky says airlines should avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine escalates drone operations

Russian attack hits rail workers in new deadly strikes on Kyiv

Rosenberg: Putin's veiled threat to UK part of Russia's campaign against West

PreviousNext0:58Mason: 'Not what Farage wanted today to look like' 00:00:58, play videoMason: 'Not what Farage wanted today to look like'0:31Kidnap victim jumps from window to escape. 00:00:31, play videoKidnap victim jumps from window to escape1:17Ever wondered how Wallace talks? 00:01:17, play videoEver wondered how Wallace talks?0:57Trump coin makes him first living president on currency in a century. 00:00:57, play videoTrump coin makes him first living president on currency in a century0:52Student who stabbed teacher given four-year detention order. 00:00:52, play videoStudent who stabbed teacher given four-year detention order0:15Motorcyclist flies inside bus in collision in Colombia. 00:00:15, play videoMotorcyclist flies inside bus in collision in Colombia0:50Would you lie to get a birthday freebie? 00:00:50, play videoWould you lie to get a birthday freebie?1:41How to get a refund when using your credit card. 00:01:41, play videoHow to get a refund when using your credit card1:23How sleep tracking can make your sleep worse. 00:01:23, play videoHow sleep tracking can make your sleep worse0:41Why are there three hurricanes in the Pacific? 00:00:41, play videoWhy are there three hurricanes in the Pacific?1:20'The greatest privilege' - dad donates organs to son. 00:01:20, play video'The greatest privilege' - dad donates organs to son0:49Amelia Dimoldenberg to close doors of Chicken Shop Date. 00:00:49, play videoAmelia Dimoldenberg to close doors of Chicken Shop Date1:28Social media 'spiral' found after sister's death. 00:01:28, play videoSocial media 'spiral' found after sister's death1:34Feminist activist Gloria Steinem on her legacy. 00:01:34, play videoFeminist activist Gloria Steinem on her legacy0:59Will El Nino bring chaos to UK weather? 00:00:59, play videoWill El Nino bring chaos to UK weather?1:14'I was struck by lightning and survived' 00:01:14, play video'I was struck by lightning and survived'1:00How much should you give towards a leaving gift? 00:01:00, play videoHow much should you give towards a leaving gift?1:32Were Christians the target of the Palm Sunday attack in Nigeria? 00:01:32, play videoWere Christians the target of the Palm Sunday attack in Nigeria?Top storiesCleveland police chief proud of force but being 'let down' by funding

'I'd rather die than ring the police': Distrust and fear in Middlesbrough after A66 crash

How the Lindsay Clancy trial gripped America - and ultimately fell apart

How the hunger for a new weight loss drug is feeding an industry of fakes

Recipe for success - the Chicken Shop Date moments that created a YouTube star

Michael Owen doesn't tell his children he loves them - how big a deal is that?

The Grand Tour's new presenters: 'I hope we prove the critics wrong'

Throwing papers, hurling a ninja star - Lindsay Clancy lawyer creates courtroom spectacles

Watch: Moment workers are rescued from Nepal tunnel. VideoWatch: Moment workers are rescued from Nepal tunnel

Weekend heat for parts of UK before more rain next week

I didn't want a wedding car, I wanted a dragon boat

US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter

Inside Ella Toone’s life on and off the pitch

How do electric fish make electricity?

Imagine a world where no one has heard of The Beatles

Why thousands of grieving families are still fighting for answers

Flight price rises due to 'foolish leaders' starting wars, Virgin's Branson says

'Nigel on the ropes' and 'Tough first budget' says Healey

UN votes to adopt new world map to reflect Africa's true size

'I'd rather die than ring the police': Distrust and fear in Middlesbrough after A66 crash

Michael Owen doesn't tell his children he loves them - how big a deal is that?

The Grand Tour's new presenters: 'I hope we prove the critics wrong'

Tate brothers charged with further trafficking and sex crimes in Romania

Cleveland police chief proud of force but being 'let down' by funding

Germany's far-right AfD bids for first taste of power in eastern vote

Lauryn Hill, Wyclef and Giggs among surprise guests at Jay-Z's long-awaited UK show