On August 29, as Ukraine commemorates the Ilovaisk tragedy and copes with the aftermath of the recent Russian attack in Kyiv that killed at least 23 people, an important meeting is scheduled in New York. The Ukrainian delegation will hold talks with Steve Witkov, the special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The delegation includes the Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. According to Bloomberg, the main focus will be on potential security guarantees for Ukraine. The agenda also reportedly includes preparations for a potential bilateral meeting between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the Kremlin has not confirmed such intentions.
President Trump is pressing for economic pressure if peace initiatives fail. Meanwhile, President Zelensky has announced new diplomatic efforts to identify countries willing to mediate negotiations with Russia, mentioning Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland.
Russia continues to challenge Zelensky’s legitimacy and questions Ukraine’s right to exist, making negotiations complicated. According to Politico, European leaders are considering establishing a 40-kilometer buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces. France and the UK are ready to send peacekeeping troops, but Poland and the Baltic states are concerned about the security of NATO’s eastern flank.
Turkey has suggested that Russia has revised its territorial demands, but experts like Kurt Volker emphasize that Moscow's overall position remains unchanged and the war goes on.
President Zelensky responded to the latest missile strike on Kyiv, describing it as an attack not just on Ukraine but on all of Europe. The Pentagon has announced a new $825 million aid package for Ukraine, including advanced munitions and equipment to bolster the country's defense capabilities.
