Zelenskiy urges fresh talks with US envoys to push for peace
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he has asked US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to meet in the coming days to discuss ending the war with Russia.
In a nightly video address, Zelenskiy announced that his team has forwarded proposals for new meetings to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He said Ukraine is ready to hold discussions within days, aiming to revive negotiations with Moscow. The outreach follows recent US talks that suggested a Russian diesel export deal could lure Russia back to the table. Zelenskiy also expressed support for President Donald Trump’s idea of an energy truce, provided Russia complies.
Why it matters
New diplomatic overtures could shift the stalled peace process in the Russia-Ukraine war.
How this story developed
- Sep 29 US officials describe talks with Russian envoy as constructive amid Ukraine war
- Oct 12 U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner postponed their scheduled Moscow trip pending Ukraine and EU responses.
- Oct 12 Trump announced a limited cease‑fire on attacks on energy installations.
- Oct 12 President Volodymyr Zelensky asked for a 60-day truce to hold elections, but the Kremlin said it opposes any ceasefire and dismissed the proposal.
- Oct 12 Trump claimed that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt attacks on oil refineries.
- Oct 12 EU members are moving forward with fresh sanctions on Russian war‑related actors.
- Oct 12 Trump defended the diesel import arrangement and noted a Treasury temporary general license permitting the shipments.
- Oct 12 Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed his support for a reciprocal energy truce while denouncing a Russian strike on a Kharkiv power plant shortly after the U.S. president’s announcement.
- Oct 12 The Kremlin reiterated its rejection of the 60‑day ceasefire request.
- Oct 13 Russia committed to an initial shipment of 300,000 tonnes of diesel with additional shipments planned for November and later.
- Oct 13 Ukraine said Russian strikes continued after Trump’s cease‑fire claim and a controversial diesel import deal was approved.
- Oct 13 German leader Friedrich Merz publicly rejected the Russian diesel deal and reaffirmed support for Zelensky.
- Oct 13 Zelensky called the deal a "gift for Putin" and escalated drone attacks on Russian fuel infrastructure.
- Oct 13 Zelensky announced that Ukraine has sent peace proposals to Washington.
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