KYIV, Ukraine - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the ongoing war with Russia is likely to continue into winter, following talks with US envoys in Kyiv. Zelensky expressed hope for agreements with American and European partners if the war persists. The US delegation, including envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, traveled to Kyiv after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Talks and Assessments
Both Zelensky and the US envoys provided positive assessments of the discussions but did not announce any breakthroughs. Witkoff, a business ally of President Donald Trump, and Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, are part of efforts to revive the Trump administration's push for peace in the region. Witkoff emphasized the need for compromise from both sides, stating, 'We think we have the ingredients to get to that place.'
Zelensky reiterated his call for a meeting with Putin to resolve territorial issues, stating that only a leaders' meeting could solve such problems. Moscow currently occupies large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine and has expressed confidence in further advances. The Kremlin has demanded recognition of the territories it occupies and claims as its own, a demand unacceptable to Kyiv.
Humanitarian and Political Impact
The war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. Ukrainian airspace has been closed since Russia's invasion in 2022, forcing the American delegation to arrive by train labeled 'Peace Express.' Despite pledges not to strike each other's capitals during the envoys' visit, fighting continued elsewhere, with both sides reporting attacks and casualties.
The local population in Kyiv remains skeptical about the possibility of a breakthrough. Nataliia Lipekh, a 67-year-old resident, stressed the necessity of international presence and support, while 29-year-old Yaroslav expressed a lack of hope due to repeated failed negotiation processes. The White House indicated that substantive plans would be announced in the coming weeks, though specific details remain undisclosed.
