First Zelenskyy talks with Witkoff, Kushner end; broader meeting expected

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded his initial round of talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Zelenskyy shared excerpts from the discussions in a video. The Ukrainian leader's press secretary, Serhii Nykyforov, confirmed the end of the first round, which was followed by a short break. Future talks involving Ukrainian, U.S., and European representatives are anticipated.

Witkoff and Kushner ventured to Ukraine for the first time to engage in the peace talks aimed at concluding the war. Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Ukraine's presidential chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, his deputy Serhii Kyslytsia, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Rustem Umerov, and David Arakhamia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction.

Zelenskyy inaugurated the talks at 2:15 p.m. Prior to meeting with Trump's representatives, Zelenskyy convened with Ukraine's negotiating team on September 6. On September 5, Witkoff and Kushner convened for over three hours of discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Kremlin disclosed that the U.S. envoys presented Putin with their suggestions on potential ways to cease Russia's war against Ukraine.

Bloomberg reported that multiple visits to Moscow by the U.S. special envoys have failed to yield results, and the Kremlin reiterated its unwillingness to relinquish its military goals in Ukraine. Kremlin officials remain resolute in their stance, asserting that President Putin is only inclined to end the war if he deems the terms favorable to Russia.

Anonymous Kremlin sources suggest that Moscow's demands are becoming more stringent, as they are confident in their military superiority over Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, Putin believes Russian forces could capture Donbas by the end of 2026.