Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, touched down in Moscow on Thursday, as reported by Russian pro-government outlet Interfax, citing aviation sources.

His arrival signals Washington’s latest bid to secure Russian agreement on a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, a proposal Kyiv endorsed during talks in Jeddah on March 11. The visit follows the U.S. resumption of military and intelligence aid to Ukraine, reinstated this week after a brief suspension.

Witkoff, a real estate mogul turned diplomat, is expected to engage Russian officials—potentially including President Vladimir Putin—though the White House has not confirmed any direct Trump-Putin call. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the U.S. delegation’s presence but remained tight-lipped on Moscow’s stance.

This trip marks Witkoff’s second Moscow visit this year; in February, he negotiated the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, spending over three hours with Putin, by his account.

The ceasefire push comes amid delicate U.S.-Russia dynamics. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz spoke with his Russian counterpart on March 12, laying groundwork for these talks.

However, concerns linger among U.S. officials and analysts, with Reuters reporting fears that Moscow might use the truce to regroup militarily and sow discord among Washington, Kyiv, and European allies. Russia’s recent reclaiming of Sudzha in Kursk—announced earlier Thursday—underscores its battlefield momentum, potentially strengthening its negotiating hand.

Witkoff’s mission, rooted in Trump’s deal-making approach, tests his diplomatic mettle beyond his Middle East portfolio. As the war nears its fourth year, this fleeting pause could either pave the way for peace or expose deeper rifts in the West’s strategy. Moscow’s response remains the pivotal unknown.