Russia struck Kyiv airports as Ukraine prepared to receive US delegation, Zelenskyy says
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (Getty Images)
Ukraine was ready to receive a US aircraft carrying special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner but Russia struck the airfields in Boryspil and Zhuliany, President Zelenskyy told journalists.
How preparations were made to receive the US delegation
According to the president, Ukraine was ready to receive the US aircraft and could use two airports for this purpose.
"Ukraine was ready to receive the US aircraft; both Boryspil and Zhuliany could be used. Russia struck both the runway in Zhuliany and Boryspil, but everything was technically working. The question is whether Russia provides this security corridor," Zelenskyy said.
The president also spoke about an alternative route — through the territory of Belarus.
"There was an opportunity to fly to Belarus and travel from Gomel; the Security Service worked everything out, but they chose to travel by train," he noted.
Zelenskyy said that the parties had agreed on a new visit.
"It is important not to take long pauses," the president added.
He also said what route could be used next time if the delegation decides to travel by plane.
"I think next time we can try by plane. If they do not want to use a US aircraft, they can fly to Poland, and my aircraft can take them from there," Zelenskyy said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump in the second half of September to raise the issue of supplying missiles for Ukraine's Freyja program.
Earlier, Zelenskyy proposed holding a new round of talks with US participation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the end of September.
