Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a possible new meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and U.S. presidential special envoys Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to the head of state, negotiations on the format and date of the contact are already underway, and he noted that the parties might find an opportunity for dialogue next week. The statement was made on Saturday, October 17, during Zelenskyy’s interaction with journalists and was reported by RBC-Ukraine.
Details of the October 16 Contacts
As Zelenskyy clarified, on October 16, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, held contact with U.S. representatives, including Jared Kushner. According to the president, it was during these negotiations that the parties "agreed on a meeting." Zelenskyy emphasized that he is personally ready to meet with the American envoys and expects that a format will be determined in the near future.
Brussels Meeting Cancellation and Readiness for Any Format
The president recalled that a meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations was previously planned for Brussels, but, according to him, the American side "could not" hold it in that city. At the same time, Kiev, as stated by Zelenskyy, is ready to meet with the U.S. delegation in any country chosen by the Americans and in any format — "in groups of three, two, or four." The key, in his words, is "a meaningful peace."
Expectations of Pressure on Russia
Commenting on future dynamics, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine expects the American side to "put more pressure on Putin, not on us," calling any other development "unfair." This statement reflects Kiev's position, which, as he put it, sees its task as achieving peace but expects active pressure on the Russian side from its allies.
Context: Early Conclusion of the Miami Summit
The announcement of the new meeting comes against the backdrop of the premature conclusion of a meeting of Ukrainian, American, and European delegations in Miami on October 10. According to reports, this occurred after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the same day, under which, as reported, he intended to purchase Russian diesel. Western outlets noted that such an agreement came as a shock to Ukrainian and European officials.
Kiev's Assessment of U.S. Actions
Zelenskyy reportedly emphasized that the U.S. effectively used the Ukrainian negotiating team as a "smokescreen" for its own deals with Russia. Against this background, the announcement of readiness for new contacts with Witkoff and Kushner is seen as Kiev's attempt to steer the negotiation process back toward Ukraine's interests and to solidify its position on exerting pressure on Russia.
