The date of Kushner and Witkoff's visit has not yet been set, but it could happen next week or later - ambassador
Kyiv • UNN
Ukraine's Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanyshyna stated that the date of the American negotiators' visit has not yet been determined, but it is possible as early as next week. Ukraine is negotiating with the Pentagon regarding a license to produce Patriot missiles.
The date of the visit of US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Kyiv has not yet been determined, but it could take place as early as next week or later, said Ukraine's Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishyna, reports UNN.
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On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump at the White House to insist on new air defense systems amid escalating Russian attacks and to launch new diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Stefanishyna said this could include a potential visit to Kyiv by US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The date of Kushner and Witkoff's visit has not yet been set, but, according to her, it could happen as early as next week or later.
Ukraine hopes that a new push for ceasefire negotiations with Russia could stop the five-year war before a potentially harsh winter, but it now needs new anti-missile systems to protect against Moscow's strikes, Stefanishyna also said on Thursday.
She told reporters that Ukraine is negotiating with the Pentagon for a license to produce Patriot PAC-3 missiles independently, but this process could take from 12 months to five years. Talks have also been held on a long-term purchase of PAC-3 missiles and further swapping places on the production line with another buyer, the publication writes. Officials from Patriot manufacturer Raytheon Co have already been in Ukraine, and Lockheed Martin Corp, which builds PAC-3 interceptors for the air defense system, is also working to send a group of experts to the country, Stefanishyna said at an event organized by the Christian Science Monitor.
Stefanishyna confirmed reports in Ukrainian media that she offered to resign from her post just a year after becoming Ukraine's ambassador to the US, saying she would "return to Ukraine to defend herself against corruption allegations related to some declarations on personal property." She said that "Zelensky did not ask her to resign and does not want her to leave her post, but believes that it is best for her and her family to 'defend my case' in person."