Zelenskyy speaks with Trump envoys
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Sunday 18 October.
Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)
Details: Zelenskyy noted that he discussed the results of the meeting between the Ukrainian and US teams in Florida with Trump's envoys.
Quote: "Our teams maintain virtually nonstop communication. We are also preparing the next steps in diplomacy. We constantly inform our partners about the real situation with Russian strikes, which do not cease for a single minute and about air defence issues.
A lot here depends precisely on America's position. Ukraine remains ready to work constructively, honestly and towards a real result. I thank everyone in America who supports Ukraine and this particular approach."
Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that "peace comes only through strength and cooperation built on trust".
Quote: "We are doing everything on our part to make this happen, and to ensure that America's position is strong and helps bring peace closer. Peace that everyone, except Russia, has been waiting for over the past four and a half years."
Background:
- It was reported that negotiations in Miami between representatives of the US, Ukraine, European countries and NATO on ways to de-escalate and end the war had ended earlier than planned.
- Reuters reported that Witkoff and Kushner have informed the Ukrainian delegation at negotiations in Miami on 9 October that the agreement permitting the export of Russian diesel fuel is part of an effort to bring Russia back to the negotiating table.
- Earlier, Axios reported that Witkoff and Kushner, at a meeting with Ukrainian representatives on 9 October in Florida, threatened to stop providing Ukraine with intelligence due to its refusal to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries.
- Zelenskyy confirmed that Trump's administration warned it could halt intelligence-sharing if Ukraine did not stop striking Russian oil refineries.
- The FT reported that the US proposed that European countries unfreeze some of Russia's sovereign assets and transfer them to an entity controlled by Washington in an effort to revive peace negotiations with Russia.
- According to The New York Times, the Trump administration has proposed that Europe resume buying Russian gas.
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