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Zelensky Says War with Russia Likely to Continue into Winter After Talks with US Envoys
Confirmed
In Short: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US envoys in Kyiv, expressing hope for continued support and warning that the war with Russia may extend into winter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Kyiv, marking their first visit to the Ukrainian capital since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the visit and stated that the war with Russia 'at the moment' looked likely to continue into winter, according to Al Jazeera reports.
The talks, which lasted several hours behind closed doors, were also attended by British, French, and German national security advisers. Zelenskyy said, 'We are grateful that the Europeans are with us today… Here we are all on the same side,' according to Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine, reporting from Kyiv.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine would hold further talks with the US, France, and Germany, but did not elaborate on the details. Witkoff, however, expressed encouragement, saying, 'We’ve had a very meaningful discussion, substantive, important, and we are very encouraged and we look forward to continuing this as long as it takes,' according to Al Jazeera.
During the talks, Zelenskyy also mentioned the need for Ukraine to develop its own anti-ballistic system, with the Americans counting on increased production next year. He added, 'We very much hope that we will be able to reach agreements with our American partners, and we are counting on the support of our European partners if the war continues in winter – and this is how it appears at the moment,' according to Al Jazeera.
The talks were rich in symbolism, with the US envoys visiting Kyiv to discuss potential ways to end the conflict. However, fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine remain, as peace talks continue to face challenges. According to reports, the US team went through a lot of the ideas that hadn't worked to date and tried to think about what elements are needed for 'durable peace,' as stated by Kushner.
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- Ushakov called the talks “extremely frank”, saying the US team “put forward a number of ideas on possible routes to a settlement”, though he gave no details.
- In televised comments before those talks, Putin said Russia would ensure the safety of the envoys while in Kyiv.
- Trump said again on Friday that his envoys were bringing a “proposal” to end the fighting.
- “But the real takeaway here was this visit in itself by the US envoys here to Ukraine, and the promise that they may return.” Earlier, Zelenskyy published a video of himself meeting Trump’s envoys in central Kyiv, saying, “Talks have begun.” Ukraine’s top security officials and negotiators were also present.
- The Michigan Senate hopeful spoke about his faith and the experiences of Muslim Americans.
- They want to tell us that because of our names and how we pray, somehow we are less than.
- The former US Representative is backed by President Donald Trump.
- Peace talks rich in symbolism but fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine remain The 'thorny' issues that threaten to derail a Russia-Ukraine peace deal Europe targeted by spiralling campaign of sabotage - and Russia is the chief suspect Following rounds of talks on Sunday, which lasted several hours behind closed doors, Zelensky told reporters they had agreed officials from Ukraine, Europe and America would meet in the near future to continue discussions.