Zelensky tells Witkoff and Kushner that Donbas is Russia's central war aim and flags post-election mobilization risk
At a joint press conference in Kyiv with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on September 6, President Zelensky said the Donbas territorial question is Russia's central objective in what he cast as a war of attrition. He warned that Russia is likely to mobilize after its September elections to press the offensive in the east. Kushner said ending the war before winter is not guaranteed but the US is working to create conditions for it.
Key points
- September 6: Zelenskyy held a joint press conference in Kyiv with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — their first visit to Ukraine for war-ending negotiations.
- Zelenskyy said the Donbas territorial question is Russia's goal in the war of attrition, not just a regional issue.
- Zelenskyy warned Russia is likely to mobilize after its September elections to intensify pressure on Donbas.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine has strengthened in the east over the past 10–12 months.
- Zelenskyy described winter as a serious military and economic challenge, with talks ongoing on financing and arms production.
- Jared Kushner said ending the Russia–Ukraine war before winter is not guaranteed but the US is working to create conditions for it.
Why it matters
By framing Donbas as the defining issue of the war rather than a narrow regional dispute, Zelenskyy signalled that any settlement will be judged on the territorial question. His warning of a Russian post-election mobilization sets the political and military clock for the coming months, while Kushner's caveat that a pre-winter end to the war is not guaranteed leaves the timing of any resolution openly uncertain.
What happened
On September 6, President Zelenskyy held a joint press conference in Kyiv with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, their first visit to Ukraine for negotiations on ending the war. Zelenskyy cast the Donbas territorial question as the central goal of Russia's war of attrition, not just a regional issue, and suggested that after the Russian State Duma elections Moscow is likely to mobilize to intensify pressure on Donbas. He noted that Ukraine has strengthened its position in the east over the past 10–12 months but described winter as a serious challenge, with talks continuing on financing and arms production. After meeting Zelenskyy and European representatives, Jared Kushner said that ending the war before winter is not guaranteed but that the US is working to create conditions for it.