Zelenskyy says Ukraine and US close to agreeing steps for a ‘dignified’ end to the war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is confident that Kyiv and Washington could agree on key steps towards a “dignified” end to the war with Russia within the next few days.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy confirmed that a Ukrainian delegation would arrive in the United States by Saturday evening to continue negotiations based on the Geneva points. “Diplomacy remains active. The American side is demonstrating a constructive approach, and in the coming days, it is feasible to flesh out the steps to determine how to bring the war to a dignified end,” he wrote. He added that the delegation has “clear Ukrainian priorities” and the necessary directives to push the talks forward.

Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is preparing for further discussions with international partners next week, with a strong emphasis on strengthening the country’s air-defence systems — an area where Kyiv continues to depend heavily on Western support.

Axios earlier reported that Andrii Yermak had also been expected to travel for the negotiations. The nine-member Ukrainian delegation includes Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, Defence Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, Security Service deputy head Vadym Poklad, and General Staff chief Andrii Hnatov, among others who will participate in talks on bringing Russia’s invasion to an end.

The diplomatic push comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday rejected the legitimacy of Ukraine’s current leadership, claiming it is “pointless” for Moscow to negotiate with Kyiv. Putin argued that by not holding elections after Zelenskyy’s term ended, the Ukrainian government had lost its authority — a position Kyiv rejects, maintaining that elections cannot be held under martial law during an ongoing war.

On Saturday, a Ukrainian team led by National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umierov departed for the US for continued talks on Washington’s proposed “peace plan”, with Zelenskyy expecting a full report on Sunday.

Axios had previously reported that Andrii Yermak was also expected to attend. The delegation — comprising Umierov, Defence Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, Security Service deputy head Vadym Poklad, General Staff chief Andrii Hnatov and others — will take part in discussions aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

On Thursday, Putin reiterated that Ukraine’s current government lacks legitimacy, asserting it is futile for Moscow to engage in negotiations with Kyiv. He claimed the administration had forfeited its authority by not holding elections after Zelenskyy’s term expired, while Ukraine maintains that elections are impossible under martial law as it continues to defend against Russia’s invasion.