Russia: US special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Saint Petersburg for a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al Jazeera reported, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine war and urged the United States and European allies to support peace efforts.
Ahead of the meeting, Zelenskyy highlighted the human cost of the conflict, saying Russian attacks continued to claim lives and deprive children of a normal childhood despite Ukraine’s resistance.
“Of course, we are not losing this war. But we are losing people. Because of the Russian attacks, we’re losing people and time,” Zelenskyy said. “It’s such a pity, because our children don’t have a real life and childhood. Not only children, but all people. That’s why we need to end this war as quickly as possible.”
He praised Ukrainian soldiers’ resilience and expressed hope that international partners would help end the conflict.
Zelenskyy has also called for a possible trilateral summit involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia to address key issues and advance negotiations. Kyiv and its European partners are preparing proposals for Moscow, including arrangements for security guarantees.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelenskyy said Washington had reiterated the need for strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
“Today we discussed security guarantees, and I’m thankful for the American side for underlining again that they have to be strong,” he said. Witkoff would share the relevant documents with Russian officials, after which Ukraine would assess the feedback.
Zelenskyy welcomed the resumption of an early warning system alerting Ukraine to incoming Russian ballistic missile attacks. He also described a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio covering Starlink, ballistic missile interceptors and intelligence cooperation as constructive.
On an energy ceasefire, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had supported the US initiative and offered to stop targeting sensitive Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow halted attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. Russia had not accepted the proposal.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Ukraine must be willing to negotiate.
“Ukraine has to want to settle this war. Zelenskyy has to want to settle this war,” Trump said, warning of serious consequences. He added that Russia wanted an agreement while continuing its battlefield advance.
