Airports were ready to receive Witkoff and Kushner’s plane, but Russia did not allow it – Zelensky

Airports of Ukraine were ready to receive the plane of representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, but the aggressor country Russia did not permit this. Zelensky said this to journalists before meeting with the Americans; the video was published by TSN.

Zelensky noted that Ukraine had long awaited Witkoff and Kushner, and seized the moment to thank Trump for allowing them to come from a security standpoint.

“Unfortunately, the Russians showed with their strikes that they cannot use the plane, although we had prepared everything. Our airports are operating,” he said. The U.S. representatives arrived in Kyiv by train.

The president also gave a brief preview of future talks. He said two sessions are expected — directly between Ukraine and the United States, and also with Europeans.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov reported that Kyiv is also hosting representatives of European partners, notably France, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Media reported that these were the national security advisers of those countries.

Zelensky also posted a video of the meeting with Witkoff and Kushner and announced the start of negotiations.