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Zelenskyy Seeks to Mend Ties With Trump Ahead of Witkoff-Putin Meeting
· Confirmed
In Short: In a letter to Putin, Zelenskyy proposed a meeting, the first public message to the Russian leader since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to Euromaidanpress (Ukraine).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Kyiv, following a series of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Azernews (Azerbaijan).
Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that representatives from the European Union and NATO were present during the discussions, while Azernews (Azerbaijan) noted that Trump urged Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Zelenskyy told reporters in Oslo that early warning systems for ballistic missiles were restored, as reported by Euronews. He also stated that Ukraine would continue to avoid deliberately targeting civilians, focusing instead on energy facilities that generate revenue for Russia’s war effort, according to Reuters.
Trump expressed increasing frustration with Zelenskyy in recent weeks, suggesting that someone else should negotiate on Kyiv’s behalf, as reported by Al Jazeera (Qatar). Trump also announced a deal with Putin to lift sanctions on Russian diesel, which Putin reciprocated by dropping glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia, killing 20 people, including three children, as reported by the Staradvertiser.
Zelenskyy accused the US of suspending crucial intelligence sharing, while Trump renewed calls for Zelenskyy to 'make a deal' with Russia.
In a letter to Putin, Zelenskyy proposed a meeting, the first public message to the Russian leader since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to Euromaidanpress (Ukraine). Putin described Zelenskyy’s letter as 'boorish,' particularly after a May 22 drone attack on a college dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region that Moscow said killed 21 and wounded scores of others.
Zelenskyy said the discussions covered Patriot air-defense systems, energy support ahead of winter, long-term security guarantees, and economic support for Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction, according to Wcyb.
No major breakthrough was announced from either meeting, but Witkoff said the U.S. delegation heard 'new ideas' in Moscow and hopes to announce another round of U.S.-mediated Ukraine-Russia talks soon, as reported by Wcyb.
Zelenskyy’s spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said the first round with Witkoff and Kushner had finished, and that a second, expanded round with the national security advisers of the UK, France, and Germany would follow after a short break, according to Euromaidanpress (Ukraine).
Despite the ongoing talks, Russia has ruled out making political concessions to Washington, signaling that Moscow remains unwilling to soften its maximalist negotiating position, as reported by Euronews.com.
Zelenskyy’s visit and talks were announced on Telegram on September 6, according to Euromaidanpress (Ukraine).
Both Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Azernews (Azerbaijan) reported that Zelenskyy met with his negotiating team ahead of the Americans' arrival and that Kyiv was prepared for the discussions.
Background
In a letter to Putin, Zelenskyy proposed a meeting, the first public message to the Russian leader since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
What's confirmed
- October 20, 2026 / 9:26 AM EDT / CBS News Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview published Tuesday that if President Trump "cannot rein Putin in," he should provide long-requested interceptor missiles so Ukraine can defend itself, as the war of words between the two leaders continues to escalate.
What's still developing
- “But we will not respond, of course, just like them, on any civilian objects.” Zelenskyy also discussed Ukraine’s first combat use of its domestically produced FP-7 tactical ballistic missile.
- Mr. Trump has never publicly acknowledged that Russia started the war against its neighbor, which initially began in 2014, and has at times blamed Zelenskyy for the full-scale invasion ordered by Putin on Feb. 24, 2022.
- According to Zelenskyy, a jet-powered Iranian "shahed" drone fired from Russia struck a gas production facility around midnight, while other drones struck at least five other energy-related targets. He said 33 people were reported wounded across the country. Later on Monday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine supported the concept of an energy ceasefire, but he called for more pressure on Russia "for de-escalation to actually succeed."
- “He’ll now, armed with those ideas, be able to go to St Petersburg and share them with the Russian side – and let’s see if we can make some progress,” Rubio said.
- "We'll see what they propose. If they offer something that benefits us economically and financially, then why not?"
- And multiple European officials tell "PBS News Hour" the U.S. program to sell weapons to Europe to give to Ukraine is still working, but there aren't enough air defense interceptors to go around, as Secretary Pete Hegseth said today.
- "Economic issues and potentially large, mutually beneficial joint projects for Russia and America were discussed in considerable detail," Ushakov said.
- In Kyiv, Reuters reported military veteran Stepan Yermak said, "The issue can be solved in the blink of an eye. We want peace," while Svitlana Kurylenko, a 19-year-old cafe worker, said, "We need an agreement that will never be broken."