President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting on the negotiation process and reported on it in his evening address on August 3, with the head of the Ukrainian delegation, newly appointed Foreign Intelligence Service chief Rustem Umerov, also sharing details of the talks.
Zelensky said the meeting was primarily about coordinating with the United States, adding that Ukraine is in daily contact with representatives of President Trump. He referred to a meeting in Washington on July 28, saying it focused on how to create new conditions for real diplomacy, and that Ukraine is trying to put that into practice.
Delegation reports on negotiation tracks
Zelensky said delegation members reported on their respective areas of the negotiation track, including where talks currently stand and what is happening in Moscow regarding its attitude toward negotiations. Besides Umerov, the delegation includes Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Presidential Office; David Arakhamia, head of the parliamentary Servant of the People faction; and Serhiy Kyslytsya, first deputy head of the Presidential Office and a diplomat. Umerov said the reports covered coordination with partners, the progress of negotiations and further steps to strengthen Ukraine's positions.
US envoys expected in August
Zelensky said Ukraine will be ready for any format of meetings and expects US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and special peace envoy Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, to be active in August. Zelensky had announced in late July that Witkoff and Kushner would visit Ukraine within two weeks. Trilateral talks involving Russia have not taken place since winter, following the start of the US and Israeli war with Iran, and Moscow has not agreed to peace despite successes by Ukraine's Defense Forces in long-range strikes.
Outreach to Gulf partners
Zelensky said Ukraine continues work with other partners, including Gulf countries, which he said could support Ukraine's diplomatic efforts and security needs, though he declined to give details publicly. Umerov said Ukraine is working with European, Middle Eastern and Gulf partners to strengthen international support and implement joint security decisions. Umerov became head of the Foreign Intelligence Service on July 3, leaving his post as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. The day before this meeting, Zelensky said Ukraine will do everything possible to get Russia to end the war by winter 2026.
