Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported a “very constructive” phone call with Steve Witkoff, a peace envoy of Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner, the former president’s son-in-law.
President Zelenskyy stated that the discussions centered on ensuring Russia adheres to any prospective agreement aimed at ending its conflict with Ukraine, adding that he is “determined” to continue collaboration with the United States.
Ukrainian officials also participated in the call from Miami, where they are engaged in the third day of negotiations concerning U.S. efforts to facilitate a peace accord with Russia.
Despite these discussions, Moscow has not appeared to make concessions and continues to conduct significant bombardments across Ukraine.
“Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace,” Zelenskyy conveyed on X.
“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 launched further air and missile strikes against Ukraine, drawing condemnation from Ukraine’s European Union allies.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a social media post that he had spoken with Zelenskyy and offered his “full solidarity.”
“France is determined to work with all partners to secure de-escalation measures and to impose a ceasefire,” Macron added.
Earlier, Macron confirmed his participation in talks in London on Monday, alongside Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The leaders will discuss the ongoing dialogues between U.S. and Ukrainian officials, aimed at achieving an agreement that guarantees Ukraine’s post-war security.
Two weeks prior, the four leaders met virtually to discuss the potential deployment of a European peacekeeping force to Ukraine, contingent on a ceasefire agreement.
Sir Keir has consistently emphasized Ukraine’s right to determine its own future and asserted that the proposed peacekeeping force would play a “vital role” in ensuring the country’s security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected the idea of such a force, stating that any troops deployed to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets.”
Ukrainian authorities report that 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 had struck energy facilities in eight regions, leading to blackouts.
Russia claims its strikes targeted military-industrial sites, as well as energy and port infrastructure.
Following unsuccessful talks in Moscow, U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators urged Russia to demonstrate a “serious commitment to long-term peace.”
Concurrently, discussions are entering their third day in Florida, as Ukrainian and U.S. officials attempt to persuade Ukraine to accept a U.S.-backed peace plan.
In a statement released on Friday, Witkoff characterized the two days of discussions with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s national security council, as “constructive.”
Witkoff and Umerov reportedly “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and “discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace,” according to their statement, which lacked specific details.
The statement added 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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