President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the Ukrainian negotiating team ahead of his meeting with representatives of US President Donald Trump. Kyiv has drawn up its own proposals and is ready for substantive negotiations on ending the war, reliable security guarantees and post-war peace terms that are acceptable to Ukraine.
Briefly about the main points
- Ukraine drew up its proposals ahead of its talks with the US delegation.
- Kyiv is seeking constructive and realistic negotiations.
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in the capital.
- Their meeting with Putin in Moscow did not result in the announced agreements.
- Ukraine is willing to suspend strikes on Moscow whilst diplomatic talks are taking place.
Kyiv’s position ahead of the meeting
Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian side intends to act constructively and realistically. According to him, cooperation with US representatives should be coordinated and substantive.
The President emphasised that any agreements reached must not only bring the war closer to an end, but also ensure that the post-war settlement is acceptable to Ukraine. Kyiv regards long-term security guarantees as a safeguard against a repeat of Russian aggression.
American negotiators are arriving following talks in Moscow
The President’s Office reported, …that special representatives of the US President are expected in Kyiv on 6 September Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian side had approved the plan of diplomatic activities for that day in advance.
Before the trip, they spent time with Vladimir Putin Talks in Moscow lasted more than three hours. The Kremlin described the meeting as «useful», but announced neither a breakthrough nor any agreed terms for ending the war.
This is Witkoff and Kushner’s first visit to the Ukrainian capital as part of the current phase of Washington’s diplomatic efforts. The sequence of meetings in Moscow and Kyiv may lend the mission a mediating character, but the parties have not announced any joint, agreed document.
Temporary measures regarding strikes on capital cities
The day before, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine was prepared to temporarily refrain from air strikes on Moscow whilst negotiations were taking place, provided that Russia did the same with regard to Kyiv. According to the Office of the President, Kyiv was prepared to maintain this arrangement on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to ensure the smooth operation of the diplomatic delegations.
This arrangement does not constitute a general ceasefire. Kyiv and Moscow’s positions on a settlement differ significantly, and no agreements on a complete cessation of hostilities or a political settlement have yet been announced.
