Witkoff and Kushner pause peace talks to consult Russia
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Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have paused peace consultations for several weeks to negotiate directly with Moscow and international allies (Photo: Zelenskiy /Telegram)
U.S. presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are pausing consultations to conduct negotiations with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sept. 23.
At a meeting with reporters, Zelenskyy confirmed that a substantive working-level session between negotiating delegations took place in New York alongside Witkoff and Kushner, reviewing in detail the core security issues previously raised during his direct dialogue with Trump.
He underscored that no finalized proposals exist on paper, however. He noted that several preliminary provisions had been explored in Witkoff and Kushner’s recent visit to Kyiv, adding: "They did not come to Kyiv without reason."
The Ukrainian leader stated that he cannot disclose specific negotiating parameters due to a mutual confidentiality pact prohibiting public commentary until concrete feedback is delivered from the Russian side.
"One naturally wants to share positive news, but that is impossible when drones and missiles are still raining down on our people," Zelenskyy cautioned.
"You say today it will end tomorrow, and tomorrow the Russians renege once again. They will betray Trump first and foremost — not us, because we harbor few illusions to begin with."
According to the president, the American delegation requires several weeks to conduct outreach with Moscow and coalition partners to hammer out actionable negotiation formats.
Zelenskyy pointed to the upcoming G20 summit in Miami this December as a potential venue for a high-level trilateral meeting capable of delivering concrete diplomatic outcomes, characterizing the summit framework as one of the most promising avenues proposed by the U.S. side.
Diplomatic maneuvers and the push for an energy ceasefire
On Sept. 23, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that both Ukraine and Russia have signaled mutual interest in exploring a limited, reciprocal ceasefire centered on agricultural grain exports and energy infrastructure.
Prior to his bilateral session with Zelenskyy in New York, Donald Trump repeatedly voiced displeasure regarding Ukrainian deep strikes on Russia’s energy sector. According to reporting by Axios, Trump pressed the Ukrainian president in a Sept. 20 phone call to halt long-range drone attacks against Russian oil refineries, arguing that disruptions were destabilizing global petroleum markets.
Over the weekend, Ukrainian forces intensified deep-rear operations across Moscow Oblast, heavily damaging the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya, which industry sources told Reuters was effectively knocked offline.
On Sept. 21, Trump publicly acknowledged the impact of Kyiv's campaign, stating that Ukraine's strikes had stripped Russia of control over its domestic diesel production and reiterating that the war "must end."
In response to U.S. pressure, President Zelenskyy affirmed that Kyiv will not accept unilateral halts to combat operations. The president made clear that Ukraine is prepared to halt strikes against Russian refineries only if Russia simultaneously ceases all bombardments against Ukrainian energy grids, port facilities, and agricultural export corridors. Speaking in New York on Sept. 22, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to enter any structured energy ceasefire provided that total reciprocity is strictly enforced.
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