Key facts
- President Zelensky had a positive conversation with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- Zelensky expressed gratitude for the envoys' readiness to work on a settlement for the Ukraine war.
- He noted a positive assessment of Ukraine's position from the U.S. envoys.
- The conversation occurred during a stopover in Chisinau, Moldova, as Zelensky returned to Kyiv.
- Discussions also touched on prospects for talks at the upcoming G7 summit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a "positive" conversation with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, expressing gratitude for their readiness to work towards ending Russia's war against Ukraine in the coming weeks. The discussion, which took place during a stopover in Chisinau, Moldova, also included a positive assessment of Ukraine's position and thanks for U.S. support.
Zelensky mentioned that the conversation also involved coordinating future steps with French President Emmanuel Macron, following recent talks in London with Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. These European leaders had supported a proposal for a meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure a ceasefire.
Despite global attention shifting towards Iran, Zelensky emphasized that the goal of peace in Europe remains on the agenda. He indicated that prospects for talks at the upcoming G7 summit were discussed. U.S. and Ukrainian officials are continuing to discuss a potential visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Kyiv, which would be their first official trip to Ukraine.
At the U.N. Security Council, representatives urged continued efforts for a ceasefire, with reports of escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian population centers and damage to humanitarian vehicles. Ukraine's representative stated that Putin had rejected Zelensky's proposal for a direct meeting, a sentiment dismissed by Russia as "rudeness and ultimatums."