Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Awaiting U.S.–Russia Agreement on Venue for Next Trilateral Peace Talks
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is awaiting agreement between the U.S. and Russia on the venue for the next trilateral peace talks — the U.S. offered to host with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner but Russia refused to send a delegation, and Kyiv says it is not blocking a meeting. He added that U.S. postponement of talks after the Feb. 28 U.S.–Israeli strikes and the resulting Iran conflict risks draining air‑defense stockpiles Ukraine needs, discussed potential French‑Italian SAMP/T substitutes for Patriot batteries with Emmanuel Macron, and said he has offered a still‑unsigned $35–$50 billion defense cooperation package giving access to technology from about 200 Ukrainian firms while disputing claims that the U.S. does not want Ukrainian drone assistance.
📌 Key Facts
- Ukraine says it is waiting on the U.S. and Russia to agree on the venue for the next trilateral peace talks; Kyiv says it is not blocking any initiative and was told the U.S. offered to host the meeting with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but Russia refused to send a delegation.
- Zelenskyy says Washington has postponed U.S.-sponsored talks because of the Iran war triggered by Feb. 28 U.S.–Israeli strikes and warns the Iran conflict poses a “very high” risk of draining the air‑defense stockpiles Ukraine depends on.
- He confirmed recent discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about whether French‑Italian SAMP/T systems could substitute for U.S. Patriot batteries against ballistic missiles and said Ukraine would be “first in line” to test any viable alternative.
- Zelenskyy directly disputed President Trump’s public claim that the U.S. does not need Ukrainian drone technology, saying U.S. officials have contacted Ukraine “several times” to request Ukrainian drone assistance for unnamed countries and for Americans.
- He says Kyiv offered Washington a still‑unsigned $35–$50 billion defense‑cooperation package giving access to technology from about 200 Ukrainian drone, AI and electronic‑warfare firms, with half of production earmarked for partners (primarily the U.S.); American military officials and President Trump showed interest but never finalized the deal.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, Black individuals comprised 17.6% of active-duty US military members, compared to 13% of the US population, indicating overrepresentation.
2023 Demographics Report — Military OneSource
In 2023, Hispanic or Latino individuals comprised 19.5% of active-duty US military members, compared to 19.1% of the US population, indicating slight overrepresentation.
2023 Demographics Report — Military OneSource
In 2024, food insecurity rates were 24.4% for Black households and 20.2% for Latinx households, compared to 8.0% for White households and 5.4% for Asian households, amid inflation pressures potentially exacerbated by global conflicts.
USDA Food Security Report Reveals 47.9 Million Americans Facing Food Insecurity — Food Research & Action Center
In a 2024 survey, 48% of Republicans said the US is providing too much aid to Ukraine, compared to 10% of Democrats, while views on Middle East conflicts show Republicans more supportive of US actions against Iran-aligned groups.
The World at War: Partisan, Racial, and Generational Views on US Role in Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas Conflicts — Chicago Council on Global Affairs
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Zelenskyy states explicitly that the U.S. proposed hosting the next trilateral meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but Russia refused to send a delegation.
- He says Ukraine is waiting on either a U.S. change of venue or Russian confirmation of U.S. hosting, emphasizing that Kyiv is not blocking any initiative.
- Zelenskyy reiterates that the Iran war, triggered by Feb. 28 U.S.–Israeli strikes, has led Washington to postpone its sponsored talks and warns of a “very high” risk that the Iran conflict could drain air‑defense stockpiles Ukraine relies on.
- He confirms recent talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about whether French‑Italian SAMP/T systems could substitute for U.S. Patriot batteries against ballistic missiles and says Ukraine would be “first in line” to test any viable alternative.
- Zelenskyy directly rebuts President Trump’s public claim that the U.S. does not need Ukrainian drone technology, saying Washington has reached out “several times” to request Ukrainian drone assistance for unnamed countries and for Americans.
- He details that he offered Washington a still‑unsigned $35–$50 billion defense‑cooperation package granting access to technology from about 200 Ukrainian drone, AI and electronic‑warfare firms, with half of production earmarked for partners, primarily the U.S., and says American military officials and Trump signaled interest but never finalized the deal.