Zelensky meets Trump envoys as Kyiv-Washington ties strain

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with US President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, amid a crisis in Kyiv-Washington relations, as announced on Sunday, October 18. Zelensky stated that peace comes through strength and trust-based cooperation, and discussed the results of negotiations in Florida. He noted that both sides remain in constant contact and are preparing next diplomatic steps, while keeping Washington informed about ongoing Russian shelling. The crisis began in early October 2026 due to disagreements over US strategy toward Russia. Trump criticized Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, suggested replacing Zelensky, and announced a partial sanctions relief deal with Moscow, which Kyiv called a historic mistake.