Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described a recent phone call with Steve Witkoff, a peace envoy for Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner, the former president’s son-in-law, as “very constructive.”
President Zelenskyy stated that the discussions focused on strategies to ensure Russian adherence to any potential agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, reiterating his “determination” to continue collaborating with the United States.
Ukrainian officials participated in the call from Miami, where they are engaged in the third day of negotiations concerning U.S. efforts to broker a peace accord with Russia.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Moscow has not publicly signaled any concessions and continues to conduct extensive bombardments across Ukraine.
“Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace,” President Zelenskyy affirmed 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 subjected Ukraine to further aerial and missile attacks, drawing condemnation from Ukraine’s European Union allies.
French President Emmanuel Macron conveyed his “full solidarity” in a social media post 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 added.
President Macron also confirmed his participation in upcoming talks in London on Monday, joining President Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The four leaders are scheduled to discuss the ongoing discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials, which aim to establish an agreement guaranteeing Ukraine’s security in the post-war period.
Two weeks prior, the leaders convened virtually to explore the possibility of deploying a European peacekeeping force to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
Sir Keir has consistently emphasized Ukraine’s right to determine its own future, asserting that the proposed peacekeeping force comprised of willing nations would play a “vital role” in safeguarding the country’s security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the notion of such a force, warning 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 targeted energy facilities in eight regions, leading to blackouts.
Russia maintains that its targets were military-industrial sites, as well as energy and port infrastructure.
Following unproductive talks in Moscow, U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have urged Russia to demonstrate a “serious commitment to long-term peace.”
Concurrently, discussions are ongoing in Florida between Ukrainian and U.S. officials, now entering their third day, to encourage Ukraine to accept a U.S.-supported peace plan.
According to a statement released on Friday, Mr. Witkoff described two days of talks with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s national security council, as “constructive.”
Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Umerov “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and “discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace,” the statement said, without providing specific details.
The statement further noted 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.