Ukraine, US Plan Winter Aid and Post-War Guarantees in Kyiv

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday, Sept. 6, that Ukraine and the US defined key priorities for future cooperation following three rounds of high-level talks in Kyiv, focusing on a comprehensive “winter package,” the resumption of peace negotiations, and robust security and economic guarantees. Speaking at a press briefing following discussions with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Zelensky characterized the day’s three negotiation rounds as “very substantive,” noting that winter energy challenges and long-term defense frameworks featured prominently.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “We paid sufficient attention today to the winter period, to all the challenges that could truly arise,” Zelensky said. “If the war continues in the winter, we strongly count on the “winter package,” which I discussed in absolute detail today with Steve, Jared, and with our European partners. We strongly count on support for air defense, energy support, and we count on a serious volume and possibilities of using American LNG.” Zelensky emphasized that Western partners expressed support for these initiatives, which aim to safeguard Ukraine’s power grid against persistent Russian strikes through emergency energy assistance, air defense munitions, and imports of US liquefied natural gas (LNG). He also noted, that there are currently 67 companies operating in Ukraine that are capable of shooting down jet drones on a large scale.“As of today, we have about 60 companies in Ukraine that are already working on shooting down jet drones – shooting them down on a massive scale. To be precise – 67,” he said. Other Topics of Interest NATO Holds Northern Viking Drill Off Iceland Without US Forces NATO allies held the annual Northern Viking drill off Iceland without US ships or aircraft, demonstrating Europe’s capacity to defend the North Atlantic. Zelensky added that there are currently three to five companies that have already demonstrated results. It is expected that mass production of drones will soon be possible. “Of course, all of this defense is ‘Plan B,’ although it is very relevant right now. ‘Plan A’ is to accelerate diplomatic efforts as much as possible to de-escalate the situation with Russia,” he said. Diplomatic revival, prosperity plan, and post-war security Zelensky commended Witkoff and Kushner for actively reviving the peace negotiation process after months of diplomatic stalemate, noting that their mission created fresh momentum following their prior talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I want to emphasize the role of Steve and Jared in restarting the negotiation process today,” Zelensky said. “It is important that the American team met with the Russian president and also today with me. And we discussed all possibilities – possibilities for resuming negotiations.” The president added that consultations included a trilateral meeting among national security advisers from Ukraine, the US, and European allies. Addressing sensitive negotiation points, Zelensky noted that territorial issues remain on the table and stressed that decisions of such complexity must ultimately be resolved directly at the level of national leaders. Beyond immediate wartime needs, Zelensky outlined discussions on long-term stability, emphasizing that guarantees must combine military defense with economic recovery mechanisms through a dedicated “prosperity plan.” “We are talking about a prosperity plan. We are talking not only about security guarantees, but also economic guarantees for Ukraine to recover and rebuild,” Zelensky stated, adding that post-war deterrence will depend on sustaining a powerful Ukrainian military backed by guaranteed allied resources. “Our army must be strong, and that is our primary security guarantee. For all of this, resources are needed. Guarantees must be strong and clear for Ukraine.” Ukraine, the US, and European partners have agreed to meet in the near future to continue negotiations on establishing a just peace. “It is also important that our European colleagues joined us during the third part of our talks, and we agreed that Ukraine, Europe, and the United States will meet in the near future,” Zelensky said. According to him, the venue for the next meeting has not yet been determined.“I don’t know where the meeting will take place – in Europe, in the US, or perhaps in Ukraine again. We are open to any possibility,” the President said. Kyiv talks and preceding Moscow consultations The press briefing concluded a marathon diplomatic day in the Ukrainian capital, which saw Witkoff and Kushner conduct their first official visit to Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Negotiations proceeded across multiple stages, beginning with bilateral panels between Ukrainian leadership and Trump’s envoys before expanding into a multilateral format joined by national security advisers from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The American delegation arrived overland by rail aboard a train marked “Peace Express” at Kyiv Central Railway Station. While Ukraine had prepared operational airfields to receive the delegation, persistent Russian strikes across the country necessitated overland transit. The Kyiv sessions followed a three-hour-and-10-minute meeting between Putin and the US envoys at the Kremlin on Saturday evening, Sept. 5. While Putin agreed to a local three-day pause on strikes against Kyiv – matched by a reciprocal Ukrainian pause on striking Moscow through Monday – the Russian leader rejected a wider frontline ceasefire. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.