New talks reopen a diplomatic channel between Russia and Ukraine

American envoys held three rounds of talks in Kyiv after meeting Russia’s leader in Moscow, reopening a diplomatic channel around the war.

Russia’s full-scale invasion is more than four and a half years old, while aerial attacks continue and the sides’ territorial demands remain far apart. Continued communication matters, but it is not evidence that peace is close.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner brought ideas from Moscow to Volodymyr Zelenskyy. British, French and German security advisers joined the final round. Discussions covered possible trilateral talks, security guarantees, reconstruction and winter support for Ukraine’s air defences and energy system. Both capitals paused strikes during the envoys’ visit, though fighting continued elsewhere.

The clearest progress is procedural: both sides spoke through the same intermediaries and Ukraine, the US and Europe agreed to meet again. No breakthrough or peace agreement emerged, and civilians were killed and injured during the visit.

A follow-up meeting is expected, although its location is undecided. Any real advance will depend on direct negotiations and movement on territory and security.