Zelenskyy: We ready to receive delegation aircraft at airports, but the question is whether Russia will allow it

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine's airports in Kyiv and the oblast are ready to receive delegation aircraft, but the question is whether Russia will provide a security corridor.

Source: Zelenskyy responding to journalists' questions online

Quote: "Ukraine was ready to receive the American aircraft. The aircraft with the delegation of negotiators. Both Boryspil and Zhuliany could have been used. Russia undoubtedly wanted to emphasise that there is no security in Ukraine, and they struck both the runway at Zhuliany and the runway at Boryspil. But nonetheless, everything was working. Absolutely. Technically, our airports are ready to receive delegations. The question is whether the Russian Federation provides this security corridor."

Details: Zelenskyy also added that in the case of the visit by US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, there was also an option to fly to Belarus and travel to Ukraine from Homel.

"From Homel it is around three-plus hours by road. We also worked through this option and formally our security service was ready to meet Steve and Jared," Zelenskyy said.

However, he said, the Americans chose to travel by train.

"They chose the train route. We said it would be a safe and comfortable arrival in Ukraine. The train was very much enjoyed by the entire American delegation. We agreed that they will come again," Zelenskyy concluded.

Background:

• On the afternoon of 6 September, US presidential representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv for the first time.
• Zelenskyy stated that several rounds of negotiations would take place in Kyiv: first with the US presidential envoys, then with the participation of negotiators from France, the UK and Germany.
• Following the three rounds of talks, Zelenskyy said the discussions had covered not only potential parameters for ending the war but also short-term support for Ukraine.
• He also said that several new ideas regarding the next stage of the peace negotiations had been put forward during the talks in Kyiv with the US envoys and Ukraine's European partners.

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