Ukraine put its own peace proposals on the table as two US envoys reached Kyiv for the first time
Security guarantees topped the Ukrainian list, and the day's diplomacy ran in consecutive sessions that widened to include three European governments' security chiefs.
After a months-long lull, United States President Donald Trump's emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner set foot in Kyiv for the inaugural round of peace negotiations aimed at halting the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had announced their arrival via Telegram on September 6. Previously, they had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on September 5.
Ukraine arrived equipped with its own peace proposals and a demand for security assurances. Witkoff described the meeting as substantive, and British, French, and German national security advisers joined subsequent rounds. This was the first-ever visit to Kyiv by Trump's envoys, whereas Moscow has persistently insisted on maintaining Ukraine outside NATO with a reduced military force—a condition reiterated this year.
Talks progressed, with the Russian side presenting a capitulation scenario, refusing to acknowledge partial truces Ukraine had proposed. Zelenskyy entered with a written plan and a single demand, stating Ukraine's readiness for dialogue and emphasizing the need for stability, fairness, and a dignified post-war peace. The Ukrainian negotiators included Kyrylo Budanov, Rustem Umierov, David Arakhamia, and Serhii Kyslytsia.
The day's proceedings featured stages, with sessions dedicated to the US team and later, European advisers. Following the initial segment, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to American and European partners. Witkoff emphasized the substance and concreteness of the discussion, stating Washington was seeking opportunities to address security concerns and coordinating closely with Germany, France, and the UK.
Kushner highlighted the goal of achieving a lasting peace that would enable Ukraine to transition from wartime resilience to rebuilding its nation. He also noted that President Trump is committed to ending the war and subsequently fostering investment and economic ties. The Europeans participated in the later rounds, with Zelenskyy's spokesperson confirming a second, expanded session with national security advisers from the UK, France, and Germany following a brief pause.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
