Zelensky says talks with Trump envoys are 'very substantial' but doubts peace before winter

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, described this Sunday his conversations in kyiv with the envoys of the American president, Donald Trump, as “very substantial” and trusts that they will result in “agreements with the United States”, but admitted that he does not believe that the war with Russia can end before winter.

“We are hopeful of reaching agreements with our American partners and we also count on the support of our European allies if the war continues in the winter, which it seems is what is going to happen at the moment,” Zelenksi told reporters, adding that he counts on US energy and defense support in the coming months.

American businessman Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, arrived in kyiv this Sunday, after meeting the day before in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the intention of relaunching peace negotiations. His visit, the first after the start of Trump's second term in January 2025, coincides with an increase in missile and drone attacks by both sides.

“It's a very, very difficult problem, but we're going to try,” Kushner responded to a question about whether the war can end before winter. "And I think if we can do it, that would be amazing. That doesn't mean we're going to get it, but it's very important to try. So we're going to keep doing it."

On the other hand, Zelensky told reporters that during the meeting they discussed the need for a supply of air defense missiles, according to Reuters. He also expressed hope that trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States would resume soon.

Trump is also expected to talk these days with his Russian counterpart once he receives information about this round of peace talks in kyiv and Moscow, a US official told the Kyiv Independent newspaper.

"The most important thing is to achieve peace in Ukraine: a dignified, solid and lasting peace. We are dedicating all our efforts to this," Zelensky wrote on his X account this Sunday. "Security guarantees are needed. A dignified peace is needed in the post-war period. It is important to work in a coordinated, substantive and realistic manner," he added on Telegram.

Both Putin and Zelensky have ordered the suspension of attacks against Moscow and kyiv until Monday, due to the presence of American emissaries.

On Saturday, when receiving Kushner and Witkoff, Putin, who opted years ago to distance Washington from Ukraine while sowing dissent in Europe with sabotage, praised the American leadership. “I understand that [President Trump] is facing a difficult situation overall, but he continues to make efforts to resolve and contribute to the resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” he said.