Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has reported a 'very constructive' phone conversation with Donald Trump's peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, and US President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Zelensky outlined discussions centered on ensuring Russia adheres to potential agreements aimed at ending its war against Ukraine. He affirmed his 'determination' to work closely with the US.
Ukrainian officials, present in Miami for ongoing negotiations, engaged in a third day of talks focused on establishing a peace deal with Russia. Despite these discussions, Russia shows no signs of easing its military offensive, continuing its bombardment of Ukrainian territories.
Zelensky shared on social media, 'Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace.' He added that they evaluated numerous crucial points essential for concluding the ongoing violence and mitigating the threat of a new full-scale Russian invasion.
The situation escalated with Russia launching further aerial assaults on Ukraine, which drew condemnation not only from Ukraine but also from its European allies. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Zelensky and emphasized France's commitment to working with partners for ceasefire measures.
Macron is scheduled to join Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London for talks on Monday. Their discussions will focus on ensuring security for Ukraine post-conflict, as previous meetings had already addressed the possibility of deploying a European peacekeeping force during a ceasefire.
While discussing security arrangements, Witkoff noted that both sides had productive exchanges regarding deterrence capabilities necessary for a lasting peace. Nevertheless, progress hinges on Russia's willingness to demonstrate a commitment to de-escalation and end hostilities, a sentiment echoed by the US and Ukrainian negotiators.
