US Envoys Meet Zelenskyy in Kyiv After Putin Talks
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine on Sunday. This was their first Ukraine visit since Russia's invasion.
It followed talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Those talks lasted more than three hours but produced no breakthrough.
Plans for ending the war were discussed in Moscow the day before. The envoys are now holding a second day of talks in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met them in Sophia Square. The square sits in front of Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral.
Zelenskyy hugged Witkoff and said "It's good to see you Steve." Security advisers from the UK, France and Germany were reportedly in Ukraine. The envoys traveled by train instead of flying.
Ukraine's airspace has been closed since February 2022 amid Russian strikes. Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants peace security guarantees and a lasting settlement.
Talks focus on a 20-point peace plan with eastern territory unresolved. The White House said Moscow talks covered important next steps. Russian officials also mentioned battlefield and economic issues.
Key Terms 5
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner US envoys sent to negotiate an end to the war.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy The president of Ukraine.
- Vladimir Putin The president of Russia.
- Saint Sophia Cathedral A historic cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital.
- 20-point peace plan A proposal from the US and Ukraine to end the war.