06.09.2026 21:30
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered critical messages in the diplomatic efforts to end the war. Receiving US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Kyiv, Zelensky stated that the war could continue through the winter and announced that they want a trilateral meeting involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US. The fact that the US delegation met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow before their visit to Kyiv also drew attention to the negotiation process.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who came to Kyiv for talks on ending the war. After the meeting, Zelensky signaled that the war could continue through the winter and announced their desire to organize a trilateral meeting involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine. The US delegation had also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow before arriving in Kyiv.
US DELEGATION MEETS ZELENSKY AFTER PUTIN
Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner first traveled to the Russian capital Moscow as part of diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The two held a meeting there with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Following the talks with Putin, Witkoff and Kushner moved on to Kyiv and met this time with Ukrainian President Zelensky. The meeting addressed negotiations on ending the war, the terms of a potential peace agreement, and Ukraine's future security.
ZELENSKY: TRUMP'S LEADING ROLE IS IMPORTANT
According to reports in the Ukrainian press, Zelensky stated during the meeting that US President Donald Trump taking a leading role in the negotiations is of great importance for Ukraine.
Zelensky expressed that their goal was not only to end the war but also to achieve a "just peace" agreement that would prevent Russia from attacking Ukraine again in the future.
The Ukrainian leader stated, "We do not want pain and deaths. We want this war to end in a just way and in a manner that leaves Russia with no further capacity for aggression against Ukraine."
"THE WAR COULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE WINTER"
Zelensky also drew attention to the possibility that the war might not end soon despite diplomatic efforts. The Ukrainian leader assessed that the war could continue through the winter, noting that his country is maintaining its preparations against potential new attacks and harsh winter conditions.
In this context, it was reported that strengthening Ukraine's air defense, protecting energy infrastructure, and meeting the needs of the people during the winter months were also on the agenda.
KUSHNER: OUR AIM IS NOT JUST TO END THE WAR
Trump's special envoy Jared Kushner, on the other hand, said that President Trump's goal is not only to end the war.
Kushner stated that conditions must be established to ensure long-term peace in Ukraine and expressed that future agreements must eliminate the possibility of a new war.
Kushner also noted that they are working on a process that would enable Ukraine to channel the strength and creativity it has demonstrated during the war years into the country's development going forward.
WITKOFF: "IT WAS A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING"
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also described the meeting with Zelensky as "very productive."
Witkoff stated, "We are encouraged and ready to continue working as much as necessary."
The contacts held by the US delegation in both Moscow and Kyiv are considered a significant part of Washington's effort to re-establish a diplomatic foundation between the parties.
TRILATERAL MEETING ON THE AGENDA
One of the prominent topics in the talks was the re-establishment of the trilateral negotiation format involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia.
Zelensky stated they want to hold a trilateral meeting to end the war, and the parties are expected to come together again in the upcoming period.
While negotiations have been paused, representatives from the UK, France, and Germany are expected to join the US representatives in the next round of talks.
Thus, following the meetings held by Witkoff and Kushner with Putin in Moscow and then with Zelensky in Kyiv, attention has turned to the new round of negotiations aimed at ending the war.