Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that the war with Russia currently appears likely to continue into the winter, following talks in Kyiv with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Both Zelenskyy and Witkoff described the discussions in positive terms, but neither side announced a breakthrough toward ending the conflict.
Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Kyiv a day after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, as the Trump administration continues efforts to revive diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the war.
The visit marked the first time the two US envoys had travelled to the Ukrainian capital, which has been repeatedly targeted by Russian strikes since the invasion began in 2022.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine hoped to reach agreements with its American partners and would rely on continued European support if the fighting extends into the winter.
“We very much hope that we will be able to reach agreements with our American partners,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine was counting on European support if the war continues through the winter, “as it appears at the moment.”
The Ukrainian president also said Kyiv would hold further discussions with the United States, France and Germany, without providing additional details.
Zelenskyy Calls for Putin Meeting
Zelenskyy reiterated his position that resolving territorial disputes would ultimately require a direct meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders.
Russia currently controls large areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, while Moscow has maintained demands that the territories it claims as Russian be formally recognized as such—conditions Kyiv has rejected.
Speaking after the talks, Witkoff acknowledged that both sides would have to make compromises to reach an agreement.
“We think we have the ingredients to get to that place,” he said, describing the discussions as meaningful, substantive and important.
Kushner also expressed optimism, saying the trip had produced new ideas for moving the negotiations forward and that the delegation had learned a great deal from the discussions.
US Seeks to Revive Peace Efforts
The visit came as the Trump administration seeks to reinvigorate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, following months of continued fighting and escalating Russian attacks.
Another round of negotiations involving British, French and German representatives was also underway.
Zelenskyy welcomed the presence of European officials, saying Ukraine and its European partners were “all on the same side.”
The American delegation travelled to Kyiv by train, with the words “Peace Express” displayed at Kyiv Central Station.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had prepared its airports to resume operations, but continued Russian strikes had prevented international officials from arriving by air. Ukrainian airspace has remained closed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
During the US envoys’ trip, Russia and Ukraine pledged not to target each other’s capitals.
Moscow Signals Further Negotiating Proposals
A White House official said the US envoys discussed “substantive plans” during their Moscow meetings that could be announced in the coming weeks.
The Kremlin, without providing details, said the American delegation had presented several ideas concerning possible paths toward a settlement.
Putin has repeatedly said Russia intends to capture additional territory in eastern Ukraine, while Moscow has intensified its aerial attacks in recent months.
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions, with no clear end to the conflict in sight.
Despite the diplomatic activity, many Kyiv residents remained skeptical that the latest talks would produce a breakthrough.
Nataliia Lipekh, 67, said the presence of the US envoys in Kyiv was important to demonstrate the scale of the suffering caused by the war and Ukraine’s need for international support.
Another Kyiv resident, 29-year-old Yaroslav, said he currently had little reason to be hopeful after witnessing numerous previous rounds of negotiations.
Fighting Continues Despite Diplomatic Push
US President Donald Trump has said his envoys were carrying a proposal aimed at ending the fighting, while also indicating that Washington had developed an idea for peace.
However, hostilities continued in other parts of Ukraine despite temporary pledges concerning attacks on the two capitals.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 108 drones and missiles in an overnight attack, while Moscow claimed its forces had intercepted 258 Ukrainian drones.
Ukraine also reported that 10 people were killed in Russian strikes on Saturday, including an 11-year-old boy, underscoring the continued intensity of the conflict despite renewed diplomatic efforts.
