Zelensky meets Trump envoys in Kiev, new US effort to end war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met in Kiev with US President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as part of new diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

The meeting took place in the center of Kiev, on Sofiiska Square, immediately after the arrival of the two American negotiators in the Ukrainian capital.

This is Witkoff and Kushner's first visit to Ukraine in this role and comes just a day after they held several hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.

The talks in Moscow lasted more than three hours and, although no concrete agreement was announced, the White House said the parties discussed "concrete plans for next steps," which are expected to be made public in the coming weeks.

A White House representative said the American delegation expects the meetings in Kiev to be equally productive.

Zelensky, before the meeting with the American envoys, stated that Ukraine is ready for a constructive dialogue and that Kiev's proposals are already prepared.

"Peace is necessary. Security guarantees are necessary. A dignified peace is needed after the war," the Ukrainian president declared.

The visit to Kiev comes at a critical moment, as American diplomatic efforts to end the war have encountered difficulties, while the territorial issue and security guarantees for Ukraine remain among the main obstacles.

However, Washington is trying to use direct channels with both sides. After Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are now in Kiev to hear Zelensky's position and see if there is room for rapprochement.

At the moment, a final agreement has not been reached, but the White House signals that the next steps in the diplomatic process may become clear in the coming weeks.