What happened
A Ukrainian delegation is set to meet with US officials, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, to discuss a new plan to end the war with Russia. The talks, which will take place over two days, aim to break the current impasse in the conflict. According to a senior administration official, the discussions will focus on a unified proposal that addresses all aspects of the conflict.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Rustem Umerov and Kyrylo Budanov, will travel to the US for the negotiations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged a possible new phase in the negotiations, stating that he has spoken with the American side three times in recent days and hopes for a positive outcome.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia began in February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion. Despite numerous attempts to broker a ceasefire, the two sides have been unable to reach a settlement. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he wants to seize the entire Donbas region, while Zelenskyy has ruled out ceding the territory.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that the current stalemate is dangerous and could lead to escalation or a negotiated settlement. European leaders are growing increasingly concerned about the potential for Russia to expand the conflict onto the continent.
