Zelensky: talks with US envoys covered security guarantees and territorial issue
Talks in Kyiv between Ukrainian officials and US envoys Witkoff and Kushner addressed security and economic guarantees for Ukraine as well as the territorial question. Zelensky warned the war could continue through winter and hopes for further US and European support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after Sunday's talks in Kyiv with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner that the sides discussed security and economic guarantees for Ukraine, along with the territorial issue.
Zelensky said the territorial topic was not discussed at length but was raised. He repeated his view that such complex matters can only be resolved at the level of national leaders.
A hard winter expected
Zelensky said fighting will likely continue through the winter, meaning Ukraine needs a winter support package from its Western partners. He expressed hope of reaching an agreement with Washington and said Kyiv is also counting on help from European partners should the war continue into the cold season. He added that Ukraine hopes for large volumes of US liquefied natural gas and new air defense supplies.
Witkoff: compromises needed
At the press conference, Witkoff said that ending the war will require both sides to accept certain compromises, adding that he believes the necessary conditions for a solution are in place. He described the process as very difficult but said Washington remains committed to reaching a peaceful diplomatic settlement.
Representatives from France, Britain and Germany joined the third and final round of talks alongside the Ukrainian and American delegations. Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Kyiv by train and were greeted near St. Sophia Square — their first visit to the Ukrainian capital, though they have traveled to Moscow multiple times, including Saturday for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the talks, Ukraine pledged to refrain from air strikes on Moscow, while the Kremlin said Putin had ordered a three-day halt to attacks on Kyiv. Citing sources, Bloomberg reported that chances of progress appear limited, as Putin reportedly remains willing to end the war only on his own terms.
