Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has engaged in discussions with U.S. special envoys Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff regarding preparations for a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the pursuit of peace talks to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized the need for security guarantees for Ukraine, with plans to formalize these guarantees in writing by next week. Top Ukrainian officials Andriy Yermak and Rustem Umerov are scheduled to meet with Witkoff in New York this week to further discuss security arrangements and the prospects of a Zelensky-Putin meeting. The U.S. envoys have indicated that officials are working diligently to advance negotiations and find a resolution. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has reiterated its interest in negotiations, emphasizing the use of politics and diplomacy to achieve its objectives and stating that any measures to support peace should be discussed discreetly. Despite recent hostilities, including a deadly strike on Kyiv, both sides appear to maintain a cautious openness to diplomatic efforts. Additionally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has spoken with Zelensky about diplomatic efforts to end the war, calling for a complete and unconditional ceasefire.