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President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as a step forward but cautioned that Moscow’s insistence on formal recognition of the land it controls remains the key obstacle.
Rubio, whose reported comments about the plan have thrown an extraordinary element of confusion into efforts to negotiate an end to the war, landed shortly before 9:30 am (0830 GMT), according to AFP journalists on site.
Zelensky’s remarks followed his meeting with senior US military officials in Kyiv, including US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, army chief of staff Gen Randy George and top commander in Europe Gen Chris Donahue. Though he did not endorse the draft, Zelensky said he “appreciated the efforts of President Trump and his team to return security to Europe,” signaling a desire to keep communication open with Washington even while raising concerns.
In addition to the fighter jets, the two countries have agreed to begin joint production of interceptor drones this year, a move intended to enhance Ukraine’s capability to counter aerial threats.
The leaders also addressed concerns over reports that Russia is recruiting foreign nationals to participate in its military campaign. Zelenskyy described these recruitment efforts as fraudulent and criminal and affirmed that Ukraine and Kenya would collaborate closely to put an end to them
The Ukrainian leader called on the United States, Europe, and the G7 to strengthen sanctions and tariffs on Russia’s energy sector and financial activities.
Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Response Corps said on Saturday that troops had “improved [their] tactical position” in Pokrovsk, while acknowledging that fighting remained “difficult and dynamic”. President Volodymyr Zelensky also noted on Friday that holding Pokrovsk remains a “priority”.
Since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale assault on Ukraine, the UK has frozen more than £25 billion of Russian assets. Previously, only profits and interest earned from these holdings had been directed to support Ukraine’s resistance.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Zelensky cautioned that without a strong international front, more countries could face Russian attacks.
Trump added that Ukraine could “maybe even go further than that,” though he did not clarify what this entailed. He made no mention of Crimea, seized by Russia in 2014, while the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Putin was ready to meet Ukraine's leader "when the agenda is ready for a summit and accused Zelensky of saying "no to everything".
The talks drew several European leaders to Washington, just days after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska failed to deliver a ceasefire