Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a briefing following the visit of American officials, stated that the talks with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were substantive and productive. According to him, the sides discussed in detail the key items on the agenda, and the visit of the American representatives had practical value. "You understand, this is all not just for show. We are discussing everything," the head of state emphasized, adding that the US special envoys "did not come for nothing," which, in his assessment, confirms the high productivity of the consultations.
Meeting in a one-on-one format
Zelensky separately held a one-on-one meeting with the American special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Following the consultations in Kyiv, Ukraine, the United States, and European countries agreed to continue the dialogue with the aim of achieving a just peace. At the same time, the format of the next round of consultations, as noted in the statement, is still being coordinated by the parties.
Washington's position: diplomacy and inevitable concessions
US special envoy Steve Witkoff, for his part, stated Washington's desire for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict. He emphasized that concessions will be inevitable for both sides in order to reach a peace agreement. Witkoff also expressed hope for the early holding of trilateral negotiations, indicating the US intention to consolidate the agreements reached in a broader format with the participation of a third party.
Format of the next round and further dynamics
The key outcome of the visit was the agreement on the course of continuing the dialogue: the parties did not finalize the format of the next meeting, but confirmed their readiness for further consultations. The totality of statements from Kyiv and Washington indicates that the negotiation track remains active, with the emphasis placed on finding mutually acceptable compromises, without which, in the assessment of the American side, a peaceful settlement is impossible.
Significance of the contacts for the negotiation track
Contacts at the level of special envoys are seen as a tool for maintaining the diplomatic channel and preparing positions for a higher level. The "productivity" of the meeting emphasized by Zelensky and Witkoff's statement on the inevitability of concessions form the overall context: both sides acknowledge the need to move toward an agreement, while the specific parameters and timing of the next round remain subject to coordination.
