Zelensky hopes to host US envoys in Kyiv in 'coming days'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he hopes to host US President Donald Trump's envoys in Kyiv in the coming days to resume efforts to end the Russian invasion.

Diplomatic push to end Russia's four-and-a-half-year invasion has stalled in recent months as the United States has shifted its focus towards the war with Iran.

"We expect to see the envoys of the President of America here in Kyiv. We have confirmation from them," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address.

"They will have meetings in Moscow and in Kyiv. We are counting on a meeting in the coming days," he added.

Mr Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, have been involved in shuttle diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine, travelling to Moscow multiple times.

They have never been to Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky said that "tentative dates have been set" for the envoys' first visit to the Ukrainian capital, which has endured intensified Russian drone and missile attacks over the past week.

In July, Mr Zelensky said he had spoken with Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner "to reinvigorate diplomacy and bring peace closer".

Putin cites chance of peace deal, Kyiv sees 'new dynamic'

Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was a chance of reaching an agreement ⁠to end the war in Ukraine, while Kyiv said it expected a "new dynamic" in peace efforts.

Mr Putin, speaking at an economic forum in Russia's far east, said a number of countries including the US and China were ready to support a peace settlement.

"Ultimately, however, the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict - Russia and Ukraine," he said.

"We are grateful to everyone attempting to contribute to a settlement. Is there a chance? In my view, yes, there is."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told reporters in Kyiv: "I believe that we will now have a new dynamic in the peace efforts, with the return of this active phase of political and diplomatic engagement in many capitals around the world."

He did not elaborate further, ‌telling reporters to "follow the news".

After four-and-a-half years of Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, it is rare for either side to offer an upbeat assessment of peace prospects. They last met for US-mediated talks in February.

Since then, with the US distracted by the Iran war, both Russia and Ukraine have ramped up long-range air attacks deep inside the other's territory. Hostilities at sea have escalated sharply with attacks by both sides on ports and commercial shipping, pushing up global grain prices.

Chicago wheat ‌futures dropped by more than 2% on mR Putin's comments.

However, neither Mr Putin nor Mr Sybiha cited specific reasons to expect progress; on the contrary, the Kremlin leader said Ukraine's latest actions presented an obstacle.

In response to a ⁠question, Mr Putin said Ukrainian attacks on civilian merchant ships and "reported threats of attacks on civilian aircraft" were "acts of state terrorism", which he ‌said "complicates the prospects for bilateral peace talks".

Mr Putin said contacts with Ukraine were still taking place.

"It is difficult for me to ⁠say right now to what extent these contacts are leading to a peace agreement, given the statements we have heard recently from Ukraine's top leadership," he said.

"However, contacts do exist and are continuing on an ongoing basis - again, primarily through intelligence channels."