US envoys delay Moscow trip to assess Ukraine peace proposal

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have postponed a planned trip to Moscow to determine if Ukraine and European allies are prepared to support a new unified peace proposal before it is presented to President Vladimir Putin.

The proposed settlement includes a “ceasefire in the energy sector” between Russia and Ukraine. This plan aims to stop attacks on oil refineries, a move President Donald Trump has prioritized to mitigate rising gasoline prices in the United States. White House officials indicated that if attacks on refineries cease, the next step could involve protecting power plants and electrical grids.

While Ukraine has expressed a need for protection against attacks on its power grid, officials noted that Russia has not yet granted approval for the ceasefire. Tensions remain high, as US officials reported that President Zelenskyy has reportedly ignored several American requests to halt strikes on Russian refineries. Some US officials have suggested that continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure could damage the relationship between Kyiv and the Trump administration.