{
  "id": 12931569,
  "title": "Zelensky sends delegation to meet Trump envoys as he hints at secret US-Russia economic talks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/zelensky-sends-delegation-to-meet-trump-envoys-as-he-hints-at-secret",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T18:37:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Independent",
    "slug": "kyiv-independent",
    "url": "https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-sends-delegation-to-meet-trump-envoys-as-he-hints-at-secret-us-russia-economic-talks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a delegation will travel to the United States on October 9 to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The purpose of the meeting, which is expected to last two days, is to discuss proposals for an energy and Black Sea ceasefire, according to Zelensky. This comes as there is uncertainty over Trump's efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation will also include Foreign Intelligence Service Chief Rustem Umerov, Zelensky's Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov, and other senior officials.\n\nThe meeting follows remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated on October 8 that achieving peace through negotiations was currently unattainable. Rubio emphasized that Russia's demand for full control over Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast without fighting remains a stumbling block, a position Ukraine has rejected. The current peace talks have been stalled due to Moscow's insistence on territorial demands that Ukraine rejects, preferring a ceasefire along the existing front lines.\n\nZelensky responded to Rubio's comments, expressing that Washington could not simultaneously negotiate economic projects with Russia while describing diplomatic progress as impasse. He added that Ukraine is not prepared to discuss potential economic deals with Russia publicly. The diplomatic efforts began in early September when Trump's envoys visited both Kyiv and Moscow in hopes of achieving progress before the U.S. midterm elections. These visits resulted in an agreement in principle to hold a trilateral meeting among Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. However, even this meeting remains uncertain, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stating on October 7 that U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine are not currently planned.",
  "summary": "\"Meetings are expected to take place over two days... we are counting on a European team to join our negotiating group,\" President Volodymyr Zelensky said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}