Ukraine fears a winter war despite “more effective” proposals

U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff brought Ukrainian officials new proposals to end the war with Russia, but the visit produced no announced breakthrough. Sources inside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office described the ideas as potentially more workable than earlier versions.

The two men met Zelenskyy in Kyiv after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. It was their first visit to the Ukrainian capital, which has faced deadly Russian attacks for more than four years. A source in the presidential office told AFP that the discussions were different from before and “more effective now,” adding that the three men were still talking.

Zelenskyy struck a more cautious note at a news conference later in the day. He said the war currently appeared likely to continue into the winter. Witkoff and Kushner spoke positively about the talks, but neither announced major steps toward ending the conflict.

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This is not the same as before. It is more effective now.

“We sincerely hope that we can reach an agreement with our American partners, and we count on the support of our European partners if the war continues this winter, and that is what it looks like at the moment,” Zelenskyy said.

He also said Ukraine would hold talks with the United States, France and Germany, without providing further details. Zelenskyy repeated his view that only a meeting between leaders could resolve the disputes. More discussions with the American representatives were expected.

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We sincerely hope that we can reach an agreement with our American partners, and we count on the support of our European partners if the war continues this winter, and that is what it looks like at the moment.