Kyiv airports ready to host foreign delegations if Russia guarantees safe corridor, Zelensky says
A day before a U.S. delegation arrived, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had deliberately targeted the runways at Kyiv's Zhuliany airport and Boryspil International Airport.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on September 8 that Kyiv's airports are technically prepared to accommodate foreign delegations, but their usage hinges on Russia permitting a secure passage. Ukraine's airports have been inoperable since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, rendering trains the primary transportation for foreign visitors.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine was prepared to receive a U.S. delegation, including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, during their September 6 visit. However, the day prior, Russian forces intentionally targeted the runways at Kyiv's Zhuliany airport and Boryspil International Airport following talks about these dignitaries potentially landing in Ukraine.
These attacks, part of a larger Russian assault involving ballistic missiles and 167 drones, resulted in at least seven deaths and 51 injuries.
Zelensky explored the alternative of transporting the U.S. delegation to Gomel, Belarus, then by road to Ukraine, which would take about three hours. Nonetheless, Witkoff and Kushner opted for the train, which Zelensky assured would be a safe and comfortable journey. The American delegation expressed their appreciation for the train option and indicated they would return.
Despite trains becoming the primary mode of travel within and outside Ukraine since the suspension of air travel, Russian forces persistently target Ukrainian railways, including civilian trains. On September 8, Russian drones struck a Kyiv-Sumy passenger train, leading to the evacuation of around 90 passengers and crew members.
In 2024, the Ukrainian government contemplated reopening airports in cities like Kyiv and Lviv, deeming themselves 95% ready to reopen airspace. However, officials argued that resuming flights without adequate air defenses would be impractical as long as the conflict persists. In March 2025, the general director of Lviv's Danylo Halytskyi International Airport suggested flights could resume as early as April or May, contingent on a favorable scenario and talks with various airlines. As of 2026, all Ukrainian airports remain closed to commercial flights.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
