Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that Ukrainian and U.S. teams will meet this week to explore the possibility of peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
Zelensky made the announcement at a press conference in Kiev alongside visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
On the same day, the Ukrainian president also noted that he held a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Affairs Keith Kellogg, during which the two sides discussed how to push Russia toward genuine negotiations to end the conflict.
Ukraine is ready for dialogue at the leadership level and considers it necessary to resolve key issues, Zelensky said, adding that Russia also needs to be equally prepared.
Kellogg said the work on security guarantees for Ukraine is still underway, and the issue remains complex and difficult.
According to Russia's state-owned agency Tass, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Monday that all parties should build upon the success and outcomes achieved at the recent meeting between Russian and U.S. leaders in Alaska, and Russia is doing so.
The Ministry also noted on Sunday that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated President Vladimir Putin is willing to meet with Ukrainian leaders, provided the meeting could indeed bring decisive results. However, he noted that the agenda for a leaders' summit between the two countries is not at all ready.
Russia suggested first raising the level of delegation-based talks between Russia and Ukraine to discuss specific issues in humanitarian, military and political fields that require the attention of the two leaders.
On Aug. 15, Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. The two sides described the talks as "constructive" and "productive," though no agreement was reached on issues such as a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Answering questions from reporters on Monday, Trump said details of U.S. involvement in Ukraine's security guarantees have not yet been discussed, but the U.S. will provide support in a backup role, while Europe will be the main provider of security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump also said that if Putin and Zelensky do not meet, there will be very serious consequences, adding that before he himself holds a meeting and possibly reaches an agreement, a summit between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders would be appropriate.
Ukrainian, U.S. teams to discuss peace talks this week: Zelensky
Ukrainian, U.S. teams to discuss peace talks this week: Zelensky
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
