Zelensky: US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expected in Kyiv Sunday for talks to end the war
Zelensky says Kyiv will halt air strikes during the envoys' visit and urges Russia to provide a reciprocal period of calm.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Moscow and arrive in Kyiv on Sunday for talks intended to find ways to end the war.
Preparations and guarantees
In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing for the visit and that Kyiv will refrain from air strikes while the negotiations take place. He called on Russia to reciprocate by providing a period of calm to allow the talks and accompanying logistics to proceed safely.
"As with previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure normal functioning of Russian airspace so negotiators can arrive safely," Zelensky said.
He added: "From our side there will be no airstrikes, and Russia must reciprocate by providing a period of calm, without carrying out its own airstrikes, for the time required to conduct these negotiations and to resolve the logistical issues related to this American visit."
Zelensky said the aim is for the visit to be constructive. "We will see what proposals Steve and Jared have and what Moscow will say about them," he said.
He also said he had approved proposals from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Armed Forces of Ukraine "for a response to the attacks that the Russians are carrying out on their cities."
Photo: press material from the event
