Zelenskyy Tells Trump Envoys Ukraine Seeks Peace Through Strength in Current Wars in the World as Russian Strikes Continue
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on 18 October while Russian forces continued daily strikes and Ukraine’s middle-strike drones, aided by Starlink, disrupted Russian supply lines in current wars in the world.
Zelenskyy’s Conversation with Trump Envoys
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Sunday 18 October. [2] Zelenskyy noted that he discussed the results of the meeting between the Ukrainian and US teams in Florida with Trump's envoys. [2] Zelenskyy stated that the teams maintain virtually nonstop communication and are preparing the next steps in diplomacy. [2] He constantly informed partners about the real situation with Russian strikes, which do not cease for a single minute, and about air defence issues. [2] Zelenskyy emphasised that peace comes only through strength and cooperation built on trust. [2] Ukraine remains ready to work constructively, honestly and towards a real result. [2] A lot here depends precisely on America's position. [2] Zelenskyy confirmed that he is doing everything on the Ukrainian part to make this happen and to ensure that America's position is strong and helps bring peace closer. [2] Peace that everyone, except Russia, has been waiting for over the past four and a half years. [2]
Background on US-Ukraine Negotiations
It was reported that negotiations in Miami between representatives of the US, Ukraine, European countries and NATO on ways to de-escalate and end the war had ended earlier than planned. [2] Reuters reported that Witkoff and Kushner have informed the Ukrainian delegation at negotiations in Miami on 9 October that the agreement permitting the export of Russian diesel fuel is part of an effort to bring Russia back to the negotiating table. [2] Earlier, Axios reported that Witkoff and Kushner, at a meeting with Ukrainian representatives on 9 October in Florida, threatened to stop providing Ukraine with intelligence due to its refusal to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. [2] Zelenskyy confirmed that Trump's administration warned it could halt intelligence-sharing if Ukraine did not stop striking Russian oil refineries. [2] The FT reported that the US proposed that European countries unfreeze some of Russia's sovereign assets and transfer them to an entity controlled by Washington in an effort to revive peace negotiations with Russia. [2] According to The New York Times, the Trump administration has proposed that Europe resume buying Russian gas. [2]
Russian Military Losses
Russia has lost 2,090 soldiers killed and wounded over the past day. [3] The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 18 October 2026 are estimated to be approximately 1,565,060 military personnel. [3] Additional figures include 12,416 tanks, 25,561 armoured combat vehicles, 51,293 artillery systems, 2,224 multiple-launch rocket systems, 1,711 air defence systems, 449 fixed-wing aircraft, 356 helicopters, 2,968 ground robotic systems, 568,358 operational-tactical UAVs, 5,134 cruise missiles, 35 ships/boats, 2 submarines, 164,246 vehicles and fuel tankers, and 4,835 special vehicles and other equipment. [3] The information is being confirmed. [3]
Ukraine’s Middle-Strike Drone Campaign
Ukrainian forces report 2,090 Russian soldiers lost in the past day of fighting. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Flying far behind enemy lines, middle-strike drones hunt the fuel, ammunition, and reinforcements Russia needs to sustain its assaults. [1] Starlink has helped make this campaign possible, but dependence on Elon Musk’s satellite network leaves Ukraine vulnerable to restrictions on its use. [1] The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell embeds with Ukraine’s 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment on the southern front to examine how these operations function. [1]
Zelenskyy meets with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss peace through strength. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Current Operational Context
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Sunday 18 October while Russian strikes do not cease for a single minute. [2] Zelenskyy discussed air defence issues during the conversation. [2] Russia has lost 2,090 soldiers over the past day according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. [3] Starlink-enabled middle-strike drones operated by the 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment target Russian supply lines deep behind front lines. [1] Dependence on the satellite network creates risks of potential restrictions. [1] Negotiations in Miami and Florida included US warnings about intelligence sharing and proposals on Russian diesel exports, unfreezing assets and European gas purchases. [2]
Developments in Current Wars in the World
Zelenskyy stated that peace comes only through strength and cooperation built on trust while Russian forces continued daily strikes. [2] Ukraine’s middle-strike drones aided by Starlink disrupted Russian supply lines of fuel, ammunition and reinforcements. [1] The 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment conducts these operations far behind enemy lines. [1] Total Russian personnel losses since 24 February 2022 reached approximately 1,565,060 after the latest daily figure of 2,090. [3] Prior meetings in Florida and Miami covered warnings on intelligence sharing if strikes on Russian oil refineries continued, along with proposals on diesel exports, asset unfreezing and resuming European purchases of Russian gas. [2]
What to watch next: Ukraine’s teams maintain virtually nonstop communication with US partners while preparing the next steps in diplomacy and informing them about Russian strikes that do not cease and air defence issues, with much depending on America’s position.
