Zelensky says he had positive talks with US envoys on Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he held a positive conversation with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as diplomatic efforts continue over the war with Russia. He made the remarks while travelling through Chisinau, the Moldovan capital, after talks in London with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany. The latest exchanges come as European leaders have backed a proposed meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to secure a ceasefire.
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Zelensky said on Telegram that the discussion with the US envoys was "very positive" and that they were ready to work on a settlement in the coming weeks. He thanked the United States for what he described as a positive assessment of Ukraine's position. He also said he and the envoys discussed the prospects for talks at the forthcoming G7 summit in the French resort of Evian.
The Ukrainian president said he was grateful for the readiness to work as actively as possible in the weeks ahead to give a boost to diplomacy aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine. He added that much of the world's attention was focused on Iran, but said peace in Europe remained on the agenda. The comments suggest Kyiv is trying to keep Ukraine high on the international diplomatic agenda while other crises compete for attention.
The talks matter because they involve senior figures linked to the US effort to explore a settlement, including Witkoff and Kushner, while European leaders are also trying to shape the next phase of negotiations. The London meeting with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany produced support for direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, with Europe saying it would play a role. That position reflects a broader push by Kyiv and its allies to maintain pressure for negotiations while fighting continues.
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The background to the latest diplomacy is a war that has now lasted more than four years, with previous attempts to open direct talks repeatedly stalling. The earlier London statement said the current line of contact should be the starting point for any negotiations and that borders should not be changed by force. Zelensky has also previously called for a face-to-face meeting with Putin, while the Russian leader has rejected such a meeting until a possible peace deal is agreed.
What remains unclear is whether Moscow will agree to any direct talks, and whether the proposed Zelensky-Putin meeting can move forward. It is also not clear what practical steps the United States and European governments may take in the coming weeks to support the process. The G7 summit in Evian is likely to be one of the next moments to watch for signs of progress or renewed deadlock.
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