Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky during a phone call with Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, April 1, 2026
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Amid stalled talks over Russia’s 49-month full-scale invasion, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken with Donald Trump’s envoys, real estate developer Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Zelensky reported on the “positive conversations”, which included NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Sen. Lindsey Graham:
We agreed to strengthen security guarantees, and I have already instructed our team to promptly update the documents so that the security guarantees for Ukraine are strong, the prospects for post-war reconstruction are real, and everything is doable.
Zelensky said last week that the Trump Administration had linked the security guarantees to Ukraine’s full withdrawal from the strategic Donetsk region in the east of the country. He did not refer to that linkage on Wednesday.
However, he appeared to caution, “Everything must be kept current. We see how the world is changing – how much can shift in a single moment. This concerns both alliances and security challenges alike.”
“People familiar with the discussions” say that because of the US-Israel War on Iran, Trump is threatening to end the US program selling arms to NATO members for transfer to Ukraine.
Trump issued the threat after European nations refused his demand that they join a naval mission to take control of the Strait of Hormuz from Iran.
Zelensky tried to ease tensions, “I am grateful that the U.S. President’s envoys hear us and are ready to work together to find the right compromises, steps, and decisions.”
But he reiterated:
The key lies in how and what all of us discuss with Russia, and in how the documents are prepared, particularly those on security guarantees. So Ukrainians clearly understand how partners will respond in the event of renewed Russian aggression, and what will actually deter Russia from aggression. We need strong, shared positions, and Ukraine’s contribution to this strength is unquestionable. We continue working with America.
Today, we had a detailed discussion with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, joined by Lindsey Graham and Mark Rutte, on how to strengthen diplomacy, what steps are possible, and on security guarantees and the involvement of Europeans. It was a positive conversation. Thank you,… pic.twitter.com/mkNrXPM98Y
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 1, 2026
Neither Witkoff nor Kushner, who have collaborated with the Kremlin on past ultimata to Ukraine, commented on the conversation.