Zelensky receives message from Trump's envoys that Russia Is 'ready for talks'

Volodymyr Zelensky, following a meeting with representatives of the U.S. president in Kyiv, received a message from them that 'the Russians are ready for talks.' According to Ukrinform, Ukraine's President said this in an interview with Axios. On Sunday, the Ukrainian leader met in Kyiv with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. It was their first visit to Ukraine since the start of Donald Trump's second term in office. According to Zelensky, the message he received from Witkoff and Kushner was that 'the Russians are ready for talks.' At the same time, the President remains skeptical, as Russia's actions on the battlefield and its recent escalation of attacks do not indicate a willingness to compromise. He nevertheless expressed the view that, following the U.S. envoys' visit, Putin is 'ready to discuss' proposals for moving the negotiations forward. Zelensky noted that the U.S. envoys visited Moscow and Kyiv primarily to 'unblock' the diplomatic process, but also 'brought several new ideas.' He declined to disclose all the details, but said that some of the discussions concerned possible de-escalation steps by Russia and Ukraine before and during the winter. See also: Zelensky holds meeting following talks with U.S. presidential envoys Witkoff and Kushner 'There are ideas concerning energy facilities, grain supplies, electricity facilities, as well as oil and gas exports. Russia and Ukraine have different interests,' Zelensky said. Asked whether the new U.S. approach envisages resuming negotiations and attempting to reach agreements that would allow Ukraine and Russia to get through the winter without a serious escalation, the President said that such an interpretation was 'very close to the reality of these talks.' He identified the resumption of negotiations as the first goal, and the second as an attempt to make the coming winter different from previous winters, in order to find measures 'that can bring the sides closer to peace.' Zelensky also said that the United States supports a separate 'winter package' for Ukraine, which will include assistance in air defense and the energy sector. See also: Consultations in Kyiv involving Europe laid the groundwork for a new stage of negotiations — sources in the Élysée Palace 'It is not only about missiles. It is also about liquefied natural gas and de-escalation measures,' the Ukrainian leader said. As previously reported by Ukrinform, U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff said there had been 'significant progress' in talks on ending Russia's war against Ukraine, including preparations for the next round in a trilateral format. Ukrinform photos are available for purchase here.