Zelensky says US peace plan talks are progressing
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X that he had a “very constructive” phone call with former President Donald Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff and the US president’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner, focusing on how to keep Russia bound to any future peace settlement. He reiterated that any agreement must be enforceable and backed by credible security guarantees.
The three‑way conversation also included Ukrainian officials joining from Miami, where they are in the third day of US‑backed talks aimed at engineering a cease‑fire. Zelensky emphasized his “determination” to keep working with the American side in good faith.
Meanwhile, Russia launched 653 drones and fifty‑one missiles overnight, striking a railway hub in Fastiv southwest of Kyiv and hitting energy facilities in eight regions, causing blackouts. Ukraine’s energy ministry reported damage to power infrastructure, while Moscow claimed the attacks targeted military‑industrial sites.
French President Emmanuel Macron posted that he had spoken to Zelensky and offered “full solidarity”, adding that France is determined to work with all partners to secure de‑escalation measures and impose a cease‑fire. The French leader will join UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday for further discussions.
During a virtual meeting two weeks earlier, the four leaders explored the possibility of a European peacekeeping force to be deployed in Ukraine should a cease‑fire be reached. Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the idea, stating that any foreign troops would become “legitimate targets”.
In Florida, Witkoff released a statement saying the two‑day talks with Ukraine’s national security council secretary Rustem Umerov were “constructive”. Both sides “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and “discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace,” the statement read.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a brief comment, noting that Accra “supports all genuine diplomatic initiatives that aim to end the bloodshed and restore stability in Europe.” The ministry urged both Kyiv and Moscow to show a serious commitment to long‑term peace, echoing the calls from the United States and its allies.
The next round of high‑level talks is set to continue in London, where leaders will examine security guarantees for Ukraine’s post‑war future. Observers say the outcome of these discussions could shape the timetable for any cease‑fire and the deployment of international peacekeepers.
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