Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed preliminary dates to meet in Kyiv with United States special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Zelenskyy announced the upcoming visit on Thursday, following a meeting with the Ukrainian team responsible for negotiations with representatives of US President Donald Trump.
The Ukrainian leader said his administration is in constant communication with the American envoys and expects the meetings to take place in the coming days. He added that the US officials have confirmed they will hold talks in both Moscow and Kyiv.
Zelenskyy stressed the importance of continued American involvement in resolving the conflict, noting that Ukraine is ready for substantive discussions.
Donald Trump appointed Witkoff, a real estate executive, and Kushner, his son-in-law and former senior adviser, to lead efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. The conflict began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.
Drone strike on Coca-Cola plant
During his evening address, Zelenskyy also reported that Russian forces struck a Coca-Cola factory in Ukraine using an unmanned aerial vehicle.
The president described the attack as a clear message from Moscow to Washington, pointing out that the Russian military would have known they were targeting an American corporate facility. He said the attackers view the soft drink company as such an enemy that they are willing to burn its property with Shahed drones.
Shahed drones are Iranian designed loitering munitions, sometimes referred to as kamikaze drones, that Russian forces use regularly to attack Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian targets. They fly at low altitudes and detonate on impact.
Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine will launch asymmetric operations in response to the Russian strikes.
Peace negotiations
The announcements follow comments earlier on Thursday by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who said it is unrealistic to end the war without the participation of the United States. Sybiha expressed hope for a new dynamic in international peace efforts.
The United States has been Ukraine's largest provider of military assistance since the start of the war, making its continued involvement a central factor in any potential settlement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the prospect of peace on Thursday. Putin claimed there is a chance to end the war, but insisted that Ukraine and Russia must negotiate a settlement directly with each other. He said other nations should only act to support and assist the process.
