Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported a “very constructive” phone conversation with Steve Witkoff, peace envoy representing Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner, the former president’s son-in-law.
President Zelenskyy stated that discussions centered on strategies to ensure Russia’s adherence to any potential agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, underscoring his “determination” to maintain collaborative efforts with the United States.
Ukrainian officials participated in the call from Miami, where they are currently engaged in the third day of negotiations regarding U.S.-led initiatives to broker a peace accord with Russia.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Moscow has not indicated any concessions and continues to conduct extensive bombardments within Ukraine.
“Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace,” President Zelenskyy conveyed via X.
He added, “We covered many aspects and went through key points that could ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full scale invasion.”
Overnight, Russia intensified its aerial and missile assaults on Ukraine, drawing condemnation from Ukraine’s European Union allies.
French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed his “full solidarity” with Ukraine in a social media statement following a conversation with President Zelenskyy.
“France is determined to work with all partners to secure de-escalation measures and to impose a ceasefire,” President Macron stated.
President Macron also confirmed his participation in discussions in London on Monday, alongside President Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
These leaders are scheduled to discuss ongoing negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian officials aimed at reaching an agreement on guaranteeing Ukraine’s post-war security.
Two weeks prior, the same group convened virtually to deliberate on the potential deployment of a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, contingent upon a ceasefire agreement.
Sir Keir has consistently emphasized Ukraine’s right to self-determination, highlighting the “vital role” a coalition peacekeeping force would play in securing the country’s future.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected the idea of such a force, asserting that any troops deployed to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets.”
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles on Friday night.
One strike impacted a railway hub in Fastiv, southwest of Kyiv, resulting in the destruction of the main station building and damage to rolling stock.
Ukraine’s energy ministry reported that Russian attacks targeted energy facilities across eight regions, leading to widespread blackouts.
Russia maintains that its targets were military-industrial sites, as well as energy and port infrastructure.
Following unsuccessful talks in Moscow, U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have urged Russia to demonstrate a “serious commitment to long-term peace.”
Concurrently, discussions in Florida between Ukrainian and U.S. officials aimed at persuading Ukraine to endorse a U.S.-backed peace plan are entering their third day.
In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Witkoff characterized the two days of discussions with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s national security council, as “constructive.”
Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Umerov are reported to have “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and “discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace,” according to their statement, though specific details were not disclosed.
The statement concluded that the prospect of ending the war hinges on Russia’s willingness to take “steps towards de-escalation and cessation of killing.”
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The Irish police force says it is investigating the matter after reports of drones near Dublin around the time the Ukrainian president landed.