Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that the ongoing war with Russia is likely to extend into the winter months. The statement followed a series of discussions held on Sunday in Kyiv between the Ukrainian leader and his team and visiting American peace envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
"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," Zelenskyy remarked. The Ukrainian President also noted that he is currently engaged in ongoing talks with representatives from Britain, Germany, and France, adding that he expects a session with European national security advisors to follow.
Regarding the meeting with the US delegation, Steve Witkoff noted that while the discussions were substantive and meaningful, no breakthroughs were announced. He emphasized that compromise would be necessary from both sides to reach a resolution. Kushner, who like Witkoff was visiting Kyiv for the first time, expressed that the delegation felt encouraged and viewed the trip as a way to learn and find new methods to advance the peace process. A White House official stated that in Moscow, the envoys had discussed substantive plans that would be announced in the coming weeks, while the Kremlin confirmed the Americans had presented several ideas regarding potential settlement routes.
The US envoys arrived in Kyiv via train, traveling on the "Peace Express" as other delegations do, as Russian strikes have rendered Ukrainian airports unusable despite efforts to keep them operational. Both President Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously vowed to refrain from launching strikes on the respective capitals of Kyiv and Moscow while the US envoys were conducting their talks. The airspace in Ukraine has remained closed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
As the conflict continues, strikes on Ukraine have seen an increase throughout the summer months. President Putin has repeatedly stated that Moscow intends to occupy the remainder of eastern Ukraine. Despite the challenges, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the presence of his European partners, stating, "Here we are all on the same side."
Kushner added, "Hopefully this trip has come out with some new ways to advance forward. I think we've learned a lot from the trip."
