Voice of America
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Zelenskyy announces Ukrainian delegation to US for Oct 9–10 talks after Rubio calls diplomatic end to war "unattainable"
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 8 that a Ukrainian delegation would travel to the United States on October 9–10 for talks with US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, with European partners also expected to join. The trip follows comments by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an interview with the Greek outlet Kathimerini, in which he described the Russia–Ukraine war as being in a "strategic deadlock" and said a diplomatic settlement is currently "unattainable." Zelenskyy, speaking from Pryluky a day after a Russian missile strike on a residential building there, rejected Rubio's "deadlock" characterization and called on Washington to tighten sanctions, cut off economic engagement with Russia, and give Ukraine access to Starlink over Russian territory.