Three rounds of negotiations between Uitkoff and Kushner in Ukraine ended without results
Witkoff and Kushner's three-stage negotiations in Ukraine ended without results
US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv on September 6 and held negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is their first official visit to Ukraine. The American delegation called the meeting in the capital "inspiring." However, no major breakthrough was observed regarding the end of the war.
Despite the increased diplomatic activity, differences between Moscow and Kyiv remain. Especially on the issue of territorial concessions, views differ from each other. Kushner admitted that this is a complex issue. He said the US is working behind the scenes on a potential deal.
"This is a very, very difficult problem, but we will try," Kushner said.
Due to the war, Ukraine's airspace is closed. Therefore, the American representatives arrived in Kyiv by train from Poland. They had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow the day before. Putin had declared a three-day ceasefire to ensure the safety of the representatives.
"We will need a winter package"
Zelenskyy held three-stage negotiations with the US representatives. National security advisers from the UK, France, and Germany also participated in the final meeting.
After the meeting, Zelenskyy stated that the issue of military aid was discussed. This includes Patriot missiles and other weapons. The Ukrainian president said that the war would drag on into winter and emphasized that the country would need these weapons in the coming months. Zelenskyy announced that he expects aid in "large volumes" from the US and European partners.
"If the war drags on into winter (which seems to be the case), we will need a winter package," he said.
The Ukrainian president expressed gratitude for the arrival of the European representatives in Kyiv.
"We are all on the same side here," he said.
Zelenskyy also made a joke to the American representatives. According to him, their arrival is even better for Ukrainians than Patriot systems.
"Today you sent better help for our citizens in the capital than the Patriot system. Thank you, come often. Then our people will have the opportunity to live a little more peacefully," Zelenskyy noted.
How the US assesses the chances of ending the war before winter
During the briefing, Jared Kushner was asked a question. He was asked whether it is possible to end the war before winter and whether Putin is ready for this. The US representative said that in any agreement, it is impossible to be completely sure of the final result.
"Nothing can be guaranteed until a deal is made," he said.
According to him, the process can end either quickly or slowly. At the same time, Kushner emphasized that there would be no progress without meetings and dialogue.