Ukrainian delegation to hold talks in US on October 9-10, Zelensky says
In short
Ukrainian negotiators will meet US representatives on October 9 and 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, according to Vedomosti citing Reuters. TASS reported that the US will be represented by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and RBC reported that the Ukrainian delegation will include Kyrylo Budanov and Rustem Umerov.
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Ukrainian negotiators will meet representatives of the United States on October 9 and 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, Vedomosti reported citing Reuters. TASS and RBC reported that the Ukrainian delegation will hold the talks in the United States. According to TASS, the US side will be represented by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. RBC reported that the Ukrainian delegation will include Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President, and Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Zelensky also urged US President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Russia, according to Vedomosti. "You cannot, on the one hand, negotiate with the Russians about future economic projects and, on the other, say that we are in some kind of diplomatic deadlock," Zelensky said. [ 1 ]
On October 8, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said no prospects for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine were in sight but that the US would work on the issue, Vedomosti reported. Rubio added that the Ukrainian side rejects Russia's demands to hand over the territories of the DPR and LPR, and expressed concern about a possible escalation of the conflict. He said the US remains ready to help settle the situation and continues to study the prospects. On October 7, Trump said he was continuing to work on a settlement of the conflict and expected it to be reached soon. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The talks concern a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. On October 8, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said no prospects for a peace settlement were in sight, while also saying the US would keep working on the issue, Vedomosti reported.
Key facts
- Talks between Ukrainian negotiators and US representatives are scheduled for October 9-10. [ 1 , 3 ]
- President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the talks, Vedomosti reported citing Reuters. [ 1 ]
- The talks will be held in the United States. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The US will be represented by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, TASS reported. [ 2 ]
- RBC reported the Ukrainian delegation will include Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President, and Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. [ 3 ]
- Zelensky urged US President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Russia, Vedomosti reported citing Reuters. [ 1 ]
- On October 8 Rubio said no prospects for a peace settlement in Ukraine were in sight but that the US would work on it. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Composition of the Ukrainian delegation, including Kyrylo Budanov and Rustem Umerov. Reported only by RBC, in a feed summary.
- The city where the talks will take place. The documents say only that the talks will be in the United States.
- Outlook for a settlement. Vedomosti reported that Rubio said on October 8 that no prospects for a settlement were in sight, while Trump said on October 7 he expects a settlement soon.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Vedomosti reports, citing Reuters, that Zelensky announced talks with US representatives on October 9 and 10. [ 1 ]
- TASS reports that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will represent the US at the talks. [ 2 ]
- RBC reports the Ukrainian delegation will travel to the US on October 9-10 and names Kyrylo Budanov and Rustem Umerov among its members. [ 3 ]