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US Recognizes Ukraine’s Stronger Battlefield and Negotiating Position, Zelenskyy Says
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The United States recognizes that Ukraine has strengthened its position on the battlefield and gained greater leverage in negotiations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists, according to UNITED24 Media on September 8.
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Speaking in response to a question about recent diplomatic efforts involving US representatives Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and others, Zelenskyy said American military officials and analysts acknowledge the shift in Ukraine’s position.
“Ukraine has become stronger on the battlefield and Ukraine has a stronger negotiating position. By the way, the American side is also saying this, and their military and analysts acknowledge it. This is a fact,” the president said.
According to Zelenskyy, the engagement represents more than a signal of political support and reflects Ukraine’s stronger position both militarily and in negotiations.
He attributed the shift to battlefield developments since late 2025, saying Ukrainian forces have continued to strengthen their position while Russia has sustained significant losses for limited gains.
“In 2026, since the end of 2025, let’s put it this way, we have been strengthening our position on the battlefield. Russia has many losses and few gains. This is, in principle, roughly the overall assessment,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy’s comments follow a visit to Kyiv by US President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on September 6, a day after they held talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
During their meetings with the Ukrainian president, the US representatives outlined a potential path toward renewed peace negotiations and expressed optimism about a possible trilateral format.
Speaking to UNITED24 Media during the Kyiv visit, Kushner said Washington was developing a broader “peace package” aimed at securing a lasting resolution to Russia’s war against Ukraine. He emphasized that the initiative was intended to go beyond simply halting the fighting and instead establish conditions for a sustainable settlement.
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-1bb4f5071a92fb06a0b5f24c15d06b9a.jpg "A Iskander-M missile launcher performs during the International Military-Technical Forum \"Army 2022\" at Kubinka military training ground in Moscow, Russia on August 17, 2022. Illustrative photo. (Source: Getty Images)")
