Zelenskyy explained why the American delegation did not fly to Ukraine
Ukraine was ready to receive a U.S. aircraft carrying U.S. officials—Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—but Russia launched strikes on the airports in Boryspil and Zhuliany.
According to Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian side had considered the possibility of receiving the American plane at two airports simultaneously—Boryspil and Zhuliany.
“Ukraine was ready to receive the American plane; we could have used both Boryspil and Zhuliany. Russia struck both the runway at Zhuliany and the one at Boryspil, but everything was still technically operational. The question is whether Russia will provide this security corridor,” the president said.
At the same time, as Zelenskyy noted, there was also an alternative route through Belarus.
“There was an option to fly to Belarus and travel from Gomel; the Security Service had everything worked out, but they chose to travel by train,” the head of state said.
Zelenskyy reported that the parties had agreed on a new visit by the U.S. delegation to Ukraine.
“It’s important not to let too much time pass,” the president emphasized.
He also explained which route might be chosen next time if the American representatives decide to arrive by plane.
“I think next time we could try traveling by plane. If they don’t want to use an American plane, they can fly to Poland, and my plane can bring them here,” Zelenskyy said.
Thus, despite Russian strikes on the airfields in Boryspil and Zhuliany, the technical capability to receive a plane carrying the American delegation remained. At the same time, the security of the air corridor became one of the key factors in choosing the route.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters about this.
Talks took place in Kyiv between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and representatives of the U.S. president, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The part of Donbas controlled by Ukraine remains a key obstacle and the main “red line” in the negotiation process aimed at ending the war. Despite the visit to Kyiv by U.S. President’s Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with updated peace proposals, differences regarding the future of this region remain fundamental. Zelenskyy told Witkoff that he would not cede any territory to Russia under any circumstances.
Following the meeting in Kyiv, Witkoff announced peace talks in a Ukraine-Europe-U.S. format.
In addition to issues related to a ceasefire and security guarantees, the parties discussed the country’s post-war recovery and the mobilization of resources for reconstruction, as well as economic guarantees designed to prevent the war from breaking out again.
