Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky predicts another winter at war despite ‘substantive talks’ with Trump envoys
Quick Look
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing for another winter at war despite hosting US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Kyiv for peace talks.
- He emphasized the need for air defense, energy support, and American LNG if trilateral talks with Russia fail.
- Zelensky stated that resolving the Donbas territory issue is key to ending the war.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Ukraine has been at war with Russia since February 2022. Previous peace efforts have stalled, particularly over the status of the Donbas region. The visit by US envoys Witkoff and Kushner follows their meeting with Russian President Putin in Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing for another winter at war despite hosting US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Kyiv for peace talks. He emphasized the need for air defense, energy support, and American LNG if trilateral talks with Russia fail. Zelensky stated that resolving the Donbas territory issue is key to ending the war. The envoys had previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where discussions included economic issues and joint projects, but no breakthroughs were announced.
Zelensky calls for air defence and energy support if trilateral talks with Putin and Trump fail to end Ukraine war
Volodymyr Zelensky suggests Ukraine is preparing for another winter at war with Russia despite hosting president Donald Trump’s peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Kyiv yesterday.
Lauding their “very substantive” conversation, Zelensky said Ukraine was ready for trilateral talks involving Russia, the US and Ukraine.
But, he added, “if the war continues into the winter, we are counting heavily on the winter package [of support], which I discussed in detail today with Steve, Jared, and our European partners.
"We are counting on support for air defence and the energy sector, as well as substantial volumes of American LNG and the ability to use them,” Zelensky said after his meeting with the two US officials.
Trump’s son-in-law Kushner and Witkoff met with Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday, after holding three hours of talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Saturday in Moscow.
Witkoff said he had "heard new ideas" in Moscow and hoped a new round of US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine would be announced "in short order”.
Zelensky said ending the war will ultimately come down to solving the matter of contested territory in eastern Ukraine. “The question of Donbas... I believe, is the question of this war,” he said.
Watch: Zelensky predicts another winter at war despite ‘substantive talks’ with Trump envoys
Arpan Rai7 September 2026 08:14
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Ukraine will request increased air defense and energy support from Western allies if trilateral talks fail.
Likely · Within weeks
The Donbas territory issue will remain a central obstacle in peace negotiations.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific terms were discussed in the trilateral talks?
- Will the proposed winter support package be approved by Western allies?
- Is there a timeline for the next round of negotiations?
