---
title: "Zelensky After Talks with Witkoff and Kushner: The Donbas Question Is the Question of the Entire War"
description: "Following talks with Witkoff and Kushner in Kyiv, Zelensky called the Donbas question key to the war and a condition for diplomacy, pointing to new discussions with the U.S. and Europe in the coming weeks."
date: 2026-09-06T17:32:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-donbas-talks-witkoff-kushner-kyiv-en
tags: [ukraine, zelensky, donbas, us-ukraine-talks, witkoff, kushner, diplomacy]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelensky After Talks with Witkoff and Kushner: The Donbas Question Is the Question of the Entire War

![Volodymyr Zelenskyy discusses the Donbas question and the war after talks with Witkoff and Kushner](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/06/zelenskyi-donbas-peregovory-vitkoff-kushner-kyiv/zelenskyi-donbas-peregovory-vitkoff-kushner-kyiv-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- At a September 6 briefing, Zelensky stated that the Donbas question is key to the war and concerns not only territory but also citizens.
- The President linked the possibility of diplomacy to a "strong position on the battlefield" and warned of a possible mobilization in Russia after the elections.
- The parties discussed several new ideas; new discussions among Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe are possible in the coming weeks, with details not disclosed by Zelensky.

On September 6, in Kyiv, following three rounds of negotiations with U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as with European partners, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a briefing centered on the Donbas question. According to the head of state, this point was raised directly during the negotiations and, in the view of the Ukrainian side, is a key issue in the current war. "The Donbas question is, with all due respect, the question of our citizens who live in the Donbas or were forced to leave it," Zelensky emphasized, expanding the discussion beyond a purely territorial agenda to the fate of people who continue to live in these territories or were forced to abandon them due to hostilities.

### The Donbas as Part of a War of Attrition

The President insisted that the Donbas cannot be torn out of the broader context of the conflict. "The Donbas question is not just a question of the Donbas. Between us, I believe, it is a question of this war. A war for survival and a war of attrition," he stated. In his assessment, the Donbas territories remain one of the Russian side's targets, while this direction retains critical importance for Ukraine's defense. Zelensky also noted that Russian forces have increased their presence in the east, while Ukrainian troops continue to hold the line against the enemy, and he suggested that after the elections in Russia a mobilization may occur, which, in his view, is linked to the strengthening of precisely this direction.

### A Strong Position on the Battlefield as a Condition for Diplomacy

Zelensky placed a separate emphasis on the role of military operations in creating the conditions for negotiations. "Without a strong position on the battlefield, a strong Ukrainian position, there will only be ultimatums. As it is, diplomacy is possible today," he stated, linking the possibility of dialogue to the military balance. According to him, over the past 10–12 months Ukraine has become stronger, although a number of serious challenges remain ahead, among which he cited the winter period, as well as the state's financial needs: a shortage of funds, the need to finance the army, humanitarian efforts, and the production of its own defense equipment.

### What Comes Next: New Discussions in the Coming Weeks

At the conclusion of the meeting, Zelensky reported that the parties had discussed several new ideas that require further development, and that in the coming weeks Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe may hold new discussions. At the same time, he declined to disclose all the details. "Give us the opportunity to analyze this deeply for now, to understand what details, what steps may be possible, and whether this will bring us closer to peace, and then we will speak with society," the President said. A reminder of the day's format: on September 6 in Kyiv, three rounds of negotiations with U.S. representatives and European partners were held, during which possible further diplomatic steps and conditions capable of bringing an end to the war were discussed.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [The Donbas Question Is the Question of This War, - Zelensky](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/pitannya-donbasu-tse-pitannya-tsieyi-viyni-1788715797.html) - Первичный источник: цитаты Зеленского с брифинга по итогам переговоров, три раунда 6 сентября, тезисы о Донбассе, дипломатии и новых идеях.
- [Witkoff and Kushner After Talks in Kyiv: "Everything Will Work Out Well Here"](https://news.israelinfo.co.il/147643) - Контекст: заявления американской стороны после переговоров; не противоречит основной линии, но не содержит деталей, раскрытых Зеленским.
- [Witkoff and Kushner to Hold Talks in Kyiv With Ukraine and Europe, - Zelensky](https://ukranews.com/news/1173301-vitkoff-i-kushner-provedut-v-kieve-peregovory-s-ukrainoj-i-evropoj-zelenskij) - Подтверждение факта проведения переговоров с участием США и европейских партнеров в Киеве.
- [Talks With Witkoff and Kushner Have Begun in Kyiv, - Zelensky](https://ukranews.com/news/1173293-v-kieve-nachalis-peregovory-s-vitkoffom-i-kushnerom-zelenskij) - Подтверждение факта проведения переговоров с участием США и европейских партнеров в Киеве.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: When and where did the negotiations Zelensky spoke about take place?
**A:** On September 6 in Kyiv, three rounds of negotiations were held with U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as with European partners.

### Q: Why did Zelensky call the Donbas question key?
**A:** In his words, it concerns not only territory but also citizens living in the Donbas or forced to leave, and is inseparable from the broader context of a war for survival and attrition.

### Q: Did Zelensky disclose all the details of the negotiations?
**A:** No. He reported that several new ideas requiring further development had been discussed and called for time to conduct a deep analysis before speaking with society.

### Q: What is planned for the coming weeks?
**A:** According to the President, Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe may hold new discussions to analyze the proposed ideas and details of possible agreements.