Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, stated that he had a “very productive” telephone conversation with Steve Witkoff, the peace envoy of Donald Trump, along with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the US president.
Zelensky mentioned they had talked about ensuring that Russia adheres to any possible agreement to conclude its conflict with Ukraine, expressing his “determination” to keep collaborating with the US.
Ukrainian representatives also participated in the call from Miami, where they are partaking in a third day of discussions about US initiatives for a peace agreement with Russia.
Moscow seems to have made no compromises, continuing extensive bombardments of Ukraine.
“Ukraine is resolved to collaborate in sincerity with the American side to genuinely attain peace,” Zelensky wrote on X.
“We addressed numerous aspects and reviewed crucial elements that could lead to halting the violence and removing the risk of a new large-scale invasion by Russia.”
Russia launched further air and missile attacks on Ukraine overnight, provoking disapproval from Ukraine’s EU allies.
In a post on social media, French President Emmanuel Macron noted that he had conversed with Zelensky and extended his “full support”.
“France is committed to collaborating with all partners to establish de-escalation strategies and to enforce a ceasefire,” Macron went on.
Previously, Macron confirmed he would participate with Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in discussions in London on Monday.
The four leaders plan to talk about the ongoing negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials aimed at forming a consensus on securing Ukraine’s post-war safety.
A fortnight ago, the four engaged virtually to deliberate on a European peacekeeping contingent that might be dispatched to Ukraine should a ceasefire be established.
Sir Keir has consistently emphasized that Ukraine should dictate its own destiny, asserting that the coalition of willing nations’ peacekeeping force would be essential in assuring the country’s security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the notion of such a force, claiming that any troops sent to Ukraine would be “legitimate targets”.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia fired 653 drones and 51 missiles on Friday night.
One of the strikes impacted a railway center in the town of Fastiv, located southwest of Kyiv, demolishing the main station structure and damaging rail cars.
Ukraine’s energy ministry reported that Russian assaults struck energy facilities across eight regions, resulting in power outages.
Russia asserts that it targeted military-industrial facilities, as well as energy and port infrastructures.
US and Ukrainian negotiators urged Russia to demonstrate a “serious dedication to long-lasting peace” following the failure of talks in Moscow to achieve a breakthrough.
Concurrently, discussions in Florida between Ukrainian and US officials aimed at persuading Ukraine to accept a US-supported peace blueprint are entering their third day.
In a statement released on Friday, Witkoff remarked that two days of discussions with Rustem Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine’s national security council, had proven to be “productive”.
Witkoff and Umerov “concurred on the framework for security arrangements” and “discussed essential deterrent capabilities necessary for sustaining a durable peace,” as per their statement, though details were not disclosed.
The potential for war termination relies on Russia’s willingness to undertake “steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killing,” the statement added.
