Senior Ukrainian officials conducted a rapid diplomatic tour, stopping in Qatar and Riyadh on August 26–27 and planning a Switzerland visit on August 28 before heading to New York. The delegation aims to secure international backing and coordinate ahead of talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff. President Zelenskyy called for increased pressure on Moscow to force real steps toward peace and suggested third-party hosts such as Turkey, Gulf states or European countries for talks with Putin. The US signaled potential new sanctions, while observers say Putin may be delaying negotiations believing his forces are advantaged despite heavy losses.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said he and chief delegate Rustem Umerov were in Riyadh on August 27 to meet with the Saudi defense minister and national security adviser. Zelenskyy, speaking during his nightly video address, said the Ukrainian officials will travel next to Switzerland on August 28 before heading to New York for discussions with US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Ahead of the US meeting, Zelenskyy urged additional measures against Moscow to force it into peace talks.
Many observers have said Putin is seeking to delay any serious negotiations because he believes his troops are winning on the battlefield despite catastrophic losses on both sides. On August 26, Trump again played down the likelihood of a quick meeting of Zelenskyy and Putin, despite his pressure, and raised the possibility of new sanctions on Moscow. "I want to see that [war] end," Trump told reporters at the White House.
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