'Positive talks' in London with Ukraine official, says Trump envoy

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump's Russia-Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg said Wednesday that "positive talks" were held in London with a Ukrainian official.

"It's time to move forward on President Trump's UKR-RU war directive: stop the killing, achieve peace, and put America First," Kellogg said after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak.

Representatives of the UK, France, Germany and the US met in London with a Ukrainian delegation led by Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, for another round of talks following a meeting in Paris last week.

Zelenskyy expressed hope Wednesday that joint work would lead to lasting peace.

"Emotions have run high today. But it is good that 5 countries met to bring peace closer," he wrote on X.

"The American side shared its vision. Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs," he said, adding Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution.

US President Donald Trump sharply rebuffed Zelenskyy on Wednesday for his refusal to recognize Russia's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. Trump said it is "very harmful" to peace talks.