The talks brought together senior military and intelligence officials from all three sides. Ukraine’s delegation included Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov; Russia was represented by members of its armed forces and military intelligence; and the U.S. delegation included President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and senior White House advisers.
Zelenskyy said the U.S. side raised possible formats for formalizing any future settlement, as well as the need for American monitoring and oversight of a potential ceasefire or peace process.
“As a result of the meetings held over these days, all sides agreed to report back in their capitals on each aspect of the negotiations and to coordinate further steps with their leaders,” Zelenskyy said, adding that military representatives had identified issues for a potential follow-up meeting.
Russia’s TASS news agency also reported that the talks produced results and could continue in the coming days.
The diplomatic efforts unfolded against the backdrop of Moscow’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine so far this year. Ukrainian officials said hundreds of drones and missiles struck Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities overnight, killing at least one person and leaving millions without power and heat amid subzero temperatures.
Zelenskyy said on Friday that it was “too early” to draw conclusions from the talks. He reiterated that Ukraine would not accept territorial concessions demanded by Moscow.
