kyiv – Ukrainian President Volodymyr zelensky indicated progress in ongoing discussions with the United States aimed at establishing a framework for a lasting peace agreement with Russia, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that talks had “covered many aspects and went through key points that coudl ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full scale invasion.”
The announcement comes amid continued Russian attacks, including 653 drones and 51 missiles launched Friday night, targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. one strike hit a railway hub in Fastiv, southwest of Kyiv, destroying the main station building and damaging rolling stock. UkraineS energy ministry reported attacks on energy facilities in eight regions, resulting in blackouts. Russia claims to have targeted military-industrial sites,energy infrastructure,and port facilities.
negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Moscow earlier failed to yield a breakthrough,with both sides urging Russia to demonstrate a “serious commitment to long-term peace.” Talks are now entering a third day in Florida, where US officials are presenting a US-backed peace plan to Ukraine.
According to a statement released Friday by US negotiator Abraham Witkoff, two days of discussions with Ukraine’s Secretary of the National Security Council, Rustem Umerov, were ”constructive.” Witkoff and Umerov “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and “discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace,” tho specific details were not disclosed. The statement emphasized that achieving peace hinges on Russia’s willingness to “take steps towards de-escalation and cessation of killing.”
International support for Ukraine remains strong. French President Emmanuel Macron offered “full solidarity” to Zelensky and affirmed France’s commitment to working with partners to secure de-escalation and a ceasefire. Macron will join zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday to discuss ongoing security guarantee talks.
Two weeks prior, the four leaders met virtually to discuss a potential European peacekeeping force for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. However, Russian President Vladimir putin has declared any such force would be considered “legitimate targets.”
Sir Keir Starmer has consistently maintained that Ukraine must determine its own future, and believes a peacekeeping force would be “vital” to guaranteeing the country’s security.
