Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that two US special envoys are set to visit Kyiv and Moscow "in the coming days" to engage in talks, even as Russian forces continue to attack the Ukrainian capital with air strikes. "I have just held a meeting with the team that is engaged in negotiations with representatives of the president of America," Zelenskyy shared on Telegram.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of ongoing communication with the US envoys, stating that there are "preliminary dates" for a face-to-face meeting. "We expect to see representatives...here in Kyiv. This has been confirmed by them, who also said they will have meetings in both Moscow and Kyiv," he added. Zelenskyy underscored the significance of America's active involvement in the peace process, expressing Ukraine's readiness for meaningful discussions.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are leading the negotiations as US President Donald Trump aims to mediate a peace agreement to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Trump confirmed that Witkoff and Kushner will visit Kyiv in the coming weeks, marking their first visit to Ukraine since taking on their roles.
The envoys have previously traveled to Moscow and met with Russian representatives in the US multiple times during Trump's second term. Zelenskyy expressed hope regarding their mission, writing on Telegram that it remains to be seen what the US envoys can accomplish.
However, Thomas Melia, a former senior State Department official and current chairman of the board of the Free Russia Foundation, expressed skepticism about Moscow's interest in a negotiated settlement. "Putin's military continues to inflict damage on Ukrainian civilians, blowing up schools and residences and churches," Melia told RFE/RL. "There doesn't seem to be a lot of desire for finding common ground right now."
Amid these diplomatic developments, Kyiv authorities reported new Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital. Initial reports indicated one person was killed, but this was later unconfirmed. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported nine injuries, with one attack hitting a high-rise residential building, causing a fire and significant damage. Unverified social media videos showed a large fireball engulfing an apartment building.
Russia has intensified daytime attacks on Ukraine, frequently targeting the capital, while Ukrainian residents are adapting to the increased frequency of daytime strikes. Russian forces have been using advanced jet-propelled drones, including the Geran-4, a modification of Iran's Shahed drone, leading to significant casualties and forcing Kyiv to adjust its defenses.
In a separate development, former President Trump commented on the US's military aid to Ukraine, suggesting that European nations should compensate the US for previous military aid and munitions sent to Ukraine. Trump's comments raised concerns about potential changes in US military support to Kyiv's allies.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington and Kyiv are negotiating a license that could allow Ukraine to produce missiles for the US-made Patriot air defense system, signaling a potential renewal of US support.
In the Arctic, Norwegian authorities seized a Russian ship on behalf of Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz, which is enforcing a $4.2 billion compensation award for assets seized by Moscow during the 2014 occupation of Crimea. The Kremlin called the ship seizure an act of piracy, escalating tensions between NATO and Russia. The Arctic Institute noted that Svalbard is becoming a geopolitical hotspot, with military exercises and covert operations indicating a serious Russian threat in the region.