Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed that he considers it 'disrespectful' for US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to visit Moscow but not Kyiv. The envoys traveled to the Russian capital for ceasefire talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, with Witkoff reportedly visiting Moscow eight times and meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. Neither he nor Kushner, however, has ever visited Kyiv in an official capacity.
In an interview, Zelensky stated, It's disrespectful [for them] to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, emphasizing the complex logistics involved while suggesting alternative meeting locations if they were unable to visit Ukraine. Witkoff and Kushner are part of the US negotiating team presently engaged in discussions with Iran regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Zelensky acknowledged that US focus has shifted toward the Middle East, particularly since the beginning of missile strikes against Iran, impacting the attention on ceasing hostilities in Ukraine. However, he stressed the importance of US support in Ukraine's continuing efforts for collaboration as the war with Russia persists.
The war, which erupted from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has led to ongoing battles and widespread destruction. Large areas of Eastern Ukraine remain under Russian control, while Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian territories' energy infrastructure. Discussions at trilateral summits have stalled, with unresolved issues including territorial promises and the return of Ukrainian children deported since the war's onset.
Zelensky's remarks highlight a critical moment in the intricate international diplomacy surrounding the war, underlining the ongoing struggle for Ukraine to assert its place on the global stage amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape.
In an interview, Zelensky stated, It's disrespectful [for them] to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, emphasizing the complex logistics involved while suggesting alternative meeting locations if they were unable to visit Ukraine. Witkoff and Kushner are part of the US negotiating team presently engaged in discussions with Iran regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Zelensky acknowledged that US focus has shifted toward the Middle East, particularly since the beginning of missile strikes against Iran, impacting the attention on ceasing hostilities in Ukraine. However, he stressed the importance of US support in Ukraine's continuing efforts for collaboration as the war with Russia persists.
The war, which erupted from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has led to ongoing battles and widespread destruction. Large areas of Eastern Ukraine remain under Russian control, while Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian territories' energy infrastructure. Discussions at trilateral summits have stalled, with unresolved issues including territorial promises and the return of Ukrainian children deported since the war's onset.
Zelensky's remarks highlight a critical moment in the intricate international diplomacy surrounding the war, underlining the ongoing struggle for Ukraine to assert its place on the global stage amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape.
