Zelensky Expects War to Continue Into Winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects the war with Russia to continue into the winter. He made the statement after holding talks in Kyiv with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who had met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow the previous day.

Zelensky stressed his desire for a just peace that leaves no opportunity for renewed Russian aggression. The discussions, which lasted several hours behind closed doors on Sunday, concluded without a major breakthrough. Zelensky told reporters that officials from Ukraine, Europe, and America would meet in the near future to continue discussions. He also called for a trilateral meeting involving Russia and the US.

Envoys Report on Moscow Talks

The US envoys travelled to Kyiv by train after flying to Poland. Zelensky said it was not possible for their plane to land despite preparations. Witkoff described the Kyiv talks as "substantive" and important, saying he was "encouraged." He added that the negotiators had "made a lot of progress in Moscow" during their three-hour meeting with Putin on Saturday.

Kushner commented on the Moscow discussions. He said the US team "went through a lot of the ideas that hadn't worked to date" and "tried to think about" what elements are needed for "durable peace." He called it a "very good dialogue," noting that Putin asked many questions, as did the US side. Witkoff explained they met the Russian leader first because they "needed to hear where he stood."

Ukrainian Winter Needs and Attacks

Zelensky emphasised that if the war continues into winter, Ukraine will need air defence and energy support. Russia has historically focused attacks on energy infrastructure during winter months. Ukraine relies on American-made Patriot interceptors to combat Russian ballistic missiles, but the US has used many of its stockpiles during its own war with Iran.

The Ukrainian president said his country needs to develop its own anti-ballistic system. He added, however, that the Americans will be increasing production next year, which Ukraine is "counting on."

Attacks continued during the diplomatic mission. Overnight, Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged strikes. Ukraine confirmed it struck an oil refinery, an airfield, and two air defence systems. Earlier, Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia attacked with 108 long-range drones and small cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defences downed 82 drones and six missiles, but 11 locations were hit, with debris falling at seven other sites.

Russian Perspective on the Talks

According to Russian state media, Saturday's talks in the Kremlin lasted three hours. Putin's adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described them as "constructive, extremely frank." He said they discussed resolving the war, economic issues, and potential "mutually beneficial Russian-American projects."

Ushakov also stated that "note was made of the Russian army's tangible advances in the combat zone." He added there was acknowledgement that talks needed to address "the root causes of the conflict." Despite an escalation of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, Russian ground forces have made very slow advances for most of the conflict, incurring enormous casualties. Russia still controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, areas it seized in 2022.

A temporary ceasefire for the diplomats' travel was agreed. Putin and Zelensky halted strikes on each other's capitals for three days. Zelensky greeted the US envoys at Kyiv's St Sophia Cathedral, near where a Russian drone hit the headquarters of Ukraine's security services on Friday.