Zelensky US Envoys Call: Push to Revive Peace Talks

The zelensky us envoys call on Sunday offered a potential opening in the strained relationship between Kyiv and Washington, as Ukraine’s president spoke with President Donald Trump’s peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about restarting diplomacy to end the war with Russia.

“A Great Deal Depends on America’s Position”

In his evening address, Zelensky stressed Ukraine’s readiness to cooperate while placing the onus on Washington. “A great deal depends on America’s position here,” he said, adding that Ukraine remained prepared to work “constructively, honestly, and toward a real result.”

The Ukrainian leader said he had briefed the envoys on the relentless Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities and on Ukraine’s air defense needs. He confirmed that the call included discussion of Patriot air defense systems, which Kyiv relies on to intercept Russian ballistic missiles.

Tensions Over Sanctions and Starlink

The call came amid one of the frostiest stretches in the US-Ukraine relationship since the 2022 invasion. In recent days, Trump waived sanctions on Russia and struck a deal to import Russian diesel, fueling fears in Kyiv and European capitals that the White House was tilting toward Moscow.

Zelensky has also raised concerns about reported restrictions on Ukrainian forces’ access to Starlink satellite services on the front lines, suggesting both the White House and SpaceX were involved — a claim Secretary of State Marco Rubio disputed, saying any restrictions had already been lifted.

Meanwhile, both countries have escalated strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure. Moscow has left thousands without power in Ukraine, while Kyiv carried out its largest drone attack on Saint Petersburg since the war began.

The US-led push to end the four-and-a-half-year war has yet to produce a breakthrough, with Trump expressing frustration at both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the lack of progress.

Source: Kyiv Independent