▲ US Presidential Envoy Meets President Zelenskyy During Visit to Kyiv
US Presidential Envoy for Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the 6th (local time), following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, to continue discussions on ending the war.
Security officials from the UK, France, and Germany also participated, discussing new peace ideas until late into the night, but it appears they failed to find a breakthrough that could swiftly end the war.
According to Reuters and AFP, US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner visited Kyiv on this day to discuss peace plans with President Zelenskyy.
Following a three-hour meeting that included a luncheon, Envoy Witkoff said, "It was a substantive and important discussion, and I am very encouraged."
Envoy Kushner said, "I hope this visit leads to newly advanced proposals."
A meeting also took place with the national security advisors of the UK, France, and Germany in attendance.
President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the European officials participating in the meeting, emphasizing, "We are all on the same side."
They promised to hold another meeting by setting a time and place.
President Zelenskyy and the US envoys continued their discussions until late into the night with additional talks after the meeting with European allies concluded.
Envoy Witkoff stated, "We brought new ideas to Kyiv that achieved progress in Moscow."
An official from the Office of the President of Ukraine explained that the ideas discussed on this day were "not the same as before and are more effective."
However, despite the lengthy discussions, it appears they have not yet found a breakthrough to end the war in the near future.
President Zelenskyy hinted that an early end to the war may not be easy, stating, "If the war continues into the winter, we are counting on the support of our European partners. For now, it appears that will be the case."
Ukraine is reportedly exploring a comprehensive package deal that includes strengthening its air defense network and energy support, such as US-imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
This is the first time US envoys have visited Kyiv.
While they have been mediating peace talks between the two countries, they have faced criticism for visiting Moscow eight times while relatively neglecting Ukraine's stance.
Earlier, President Zelenskyy posted on social media, emphasizing, "Our proposals are ready, and it is important to negotiate in a coordinated, substantive, and realistic manner. Security guarantees are necessary."
The day before, they met with President Putin at the Kremlin to discuss peace proposals.
The Russian side stated that it conveyed its existing position to the US side that it could take the stalled eastern Donbas region by force.
Earlier this year during the negotiation process, Ukraine rejected Russia's demand to cede the Donbas region and has maintained proposals such as freezing the current frontline.
Both sides continued attacks targeting areas outside their respective capitals on the night before the US envoys' visit to Kyiv.
According to Russian regional authorities, Ukrainian forces attacked the Ryazan oil refinery, one of Russia's largest oil refineries.
The Russian military stated that it struck a Ukrainian cargo ship in the Black Sea and two Ukrainian military logistics centers in the Odesa region.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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