Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the second round of talks between Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. officials on a U.S.-drafted plan to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine will begin next Wednesday, February 4th, rather than on Sunday. Neither the Kremlin nor the United States has confirmed the new dates.
The announcement came a day after Kirill Dmitriev, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top envoys, unexpectedly held talks with U.S. officials in Florida without Ukraine’s participation. Those present included Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s peace envoy, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Witkoff said afterward that the meeting was an “encouraging sign” Russia was working toward peace, though neither side released details.
The biggest obstacle to the negotiations remains the territorial issue. Russia currently occupies around 20% of Ukraine’s territory and is demanding full control of the eastern Donetsk region as part of any potential deal. Kyiv argues that territorial concessions would embolden Moscow and many Ukrainians consider it unacceptable to surrender land that has been defended for years.
Fighting continues alongside the diplomatic efforts. Overnight Russian attacks killed at least two people and wounded several others, while a drone strike in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia hit a maternity hospital. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s defence minister thanked Elon Musk after measures linked to the Starlink satellite system reportedly reduced the effectiveness of Russian drone attacks.
