Bogdan Frolov 18:35, 04.04.26 UNIAN
April could be a crucial month for a diplomatic settlement of the war in Ukraine
Ukraine expects senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to lead a US delegation to Kyiv this month, Ukrainian President’s Office Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov said , amid renewed efforts at peace talks.
The team could arrive shortly after Orthodox Easter, which falls on April 12, he told Bloomberg . While special envoy Witkoff and Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, have visited Russia several times for talks with Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, this will be their first visit to Ukraine.
Budanov noted that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham could also be part of the group. Zelensky previously invited American negotiators to come to Kyiv, but did not specify the timing of the potential visit. He also emphasized that the stop in Ukraine could precede the group’s next trip to Moscow.
“If it doesn’t work out with all three at once, let’s do it this way – one at a time,” Zelenskyy said. “I’ve heard positive signals from partners regarding such a proposal.”
Security guarantees and peace conditions
It is reported that a potential trip by Witkoff and Kushner to Ukraine is being discussed, but has not yet been officially confirmed.
Ukraine is seeking to clarify the exact nature of the security guarantees the United States will provide to prevent future Russian aggression as part of any deal with Moscow to end the current war, now in its fifth year.
“Kushner, Witkoff, Lindsey Graham are those whose arrival is expected. Who else will be there – we’ll see,” Budanov noted.
The United States continues to mediate peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia, although talks scheduled for the United Arab Emirates in early March have been postponed. Neither side has achieved a decisive breakthrough on the battlefield, and they remain far apart on the terms of a potential cessation of hostilities.
Disagreements over front lines and economic zones
The Kremlin wants Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the Donetsk region in the east, including areas that Russian troops still do not control, while Kyiv insists on maintaining the current front line.
The US proposed creating a so-called free economic zone there, which would not be under the control of any country.
Media reports say Ukraine is also concerned about the level of security guarantees that the US should provide and activate if Russia resumes its attacks. Budanov added that Kyiv could obtain firmer assurances after the visit of the American delegation.
“We have long stated what we want. I think it will be implemented soon,” Budanov said. “What happens next is another question. But in terms of security guarantees, we have definitely made progress – we have already moved forward.”
Strikes on refineries and the situation in the Gulf
Separately, Budanov reported that Ukraine has received a request from foreign allies to stop regular airstrikes on Russian oil refineries amid a surge in global oil and fuel prices caused by the war with Iran, which has been going on for six weeks.
“Let’s respond to this diplomatically. We are getting some signals on this,” he stressed, without going into details. He also expressed optimism that the conflict in the Gulf could soon end.
Negotiations situation – latest news
UNIAN previously reported that Ukraine has received an opportunity to strengthen security guarantees from the United States. This week, a very important conversation took place between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump’s negotiating team.
At the same time, the Kremlin has started talking about “interesting US proposals” regarding Ukraine. The Kremlin’s rhetoric itself means that Russia is unable to achieve its goals in the war.
That’s good that Zelensky is forcing the 2 New York real estate guys to visit Ukraine and learn something before they go and report to the Kremlin Gremlin.
“has not yet been officially confirmed”
We’ll see if they actually show up.
Those two bimbos won’t learn anything.
“Let’s respond to this diplomatically. We are getting some signals on this,”
How about Ukraine increase the attacks on oil refineries until mafia land stop attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure? Don’t blame Ukraine for the mess that TACO created.
How about if Ukraine stops sending drones, and just sends some debris? 🙂
More seriously, Ukraine could satisfy allies by stopping attacks on oil refineries, and focus instead on pipelines and shipping terminals. Refining capacity doesn’t help much if the products have nowhere to go…