Renewed Peace Efforts Face Deep Russia-Ukraine Divisions

The article assesses whether US President Donald Trump can revive Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations after White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv. Although the meetings were described as positive, the author argues that Russia’s negotiating position has hardened considerably. Moscow is seeking Ukrainian neutrality, the removal of Western military involvement, retention of occupied territories, Ukrainian withdrawal from the remaining part of Donbas, limits on Ukraine’s armed forces and weapons, the dismantling of far-right and paramilitary groups, protections for the Russian language, and elections open to Russia-friendly parties. These conditions would be extremely difficult for Ukraine and its European supporters to accept. The author contends that Ukraine’s campaign of strikes against Russian energy infrastructure has failed to force President Vladimir Putin into compromise. Instead, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s economy, including exports through Odesa, logistics hubs, warehouses, factories, and other industrial facilities. The contrasting treatment of US officials in Moscow is presented as evidence of a shift in Washington’s approach: CIA Director John Ratcliffe was reportedly denied a meeting with Putin, while Witkoff and Kushner received a personal welcome. Their mission produced no immediate breakthrough but raised the possibility of direct talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Trump also faces opposition from pro-war constituencies in Europe, NATO, and the US political establishment. The author argues that Washington cannot simultaneously support Ukrainian attacks inside Russia and expect rapid progress in negotiations. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces severe military, economic, political, and humanitarian pressures, including continued bombardment, threatened energy and water supplies, corruption scandals, institutional infighting, and a $26bn defense-funding shortfall. The article concludes that growing war fatigue and declining alignment between the war’s objectives and Ukrainians’ personal interests could eventually constrain continued fighting, despite pressure from supporters of the war.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Kyiv discussions were described as “encouraging,” but produced no breakthrough in efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. The central obstacles remain unresolved, especially disagreements over territorial concessions and security guarantees. Kushner said the United States was working behind the scenes to create conditions for a possible agreement, while acknowledging that the conflict was exceptionally difficult to resolve. The envoys traveled by train from Poland because Ukraine’s airspace remains closed. Their journey followed a three-day ceasefire declared by Putin to ensure their safety. Zelenskyy said the Kyiv talks focused heavily on military assistance. Ukraine is seeking substantial US support, including Patriot missile systems and other weapons, with backing from European partners. He warned that if the war continues into winter, Ukraine will need a new “winter package” of military and other assistance. National security advisers from the United Kingdom, France and Germany joined the final round of discussions. Russia described the preceding Moscow talks as constructive, frank and useful, but gave no details of specific progress. Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the discussions also covered economic issues and potential large-scale Russia-US projects. Earlier negotiations have failed to bridge differences over issues including the future of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. The article presents the diplomatic effort against a deteriorating military backdrop. Ukrainian officials say reliable security guarantees from the United States and Europe are essential to deter further Russian aggression. Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, said he did not expect the fighting to end before spring 2027 and predicted additional Russian strategic air strikes during the winter. Russia is seeking full control of the Donbas, while Russian drones continue targeting Kyiv. Ukraine, meanwhile, has concentrated drone attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure and online retailers in an effort to bring the consequences of the war closer to the Russian public.

US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Kyiv on September 6 after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, carrying what a senior Ukrainian presidential official described as new and “more effective” proposals aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the US representatives gave positive assessments of their discussions, but announced no breakthrough or concrete agreement. Zelensky warned that the war could continue through the winter and said Ukraine was counting on support from European partners if fighting persisted. He also indicated that Ukraine would hold further talks with the United States, France and Germany, while reiterating that territorial issues could ultimately be resolved only through a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders. British, French and German representatives participated in a separate round of discussions, which Zelensky said demonstrated that the parties were on the same side. The negotiations remain complicated by sharply conflicting positions. Moscow occupies large areas of eastern and southern Ukraine and wants both the occupied territories and other land it claims to be recognized as Russian. Kyiv rejects those terms. Witkoff said both sides would have to compromise and described the talks as substantive and encouraging, while Kushner said the delegation had identified new ways to move the process forward. A White House official said substantive plans discussed in Moscow would be announced in the coming weeks, and the Kremlin said the Americans had presented possible settlement ideas. The visit took place amid continued Russian attacks and widespread public skepticism in Kyiv. The war has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Although the diplomatic contacts raised hopes among officials, Kyiv residents interviewed for the article said they had little reason to expect an imminent breakthrough.

The France 24 report examines Ukrainian skepticism toward renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. It focuses on comments by Ukrainian Member of Parliament Lisa Yasko, who says Kyiv does not trust the current discussions between the United States, Ukraine and Russia. Yasko argues that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no genuine interest in ending the conflict and criticizes US envoys for what she describes as excessive praise of the Russian leader. The report follows statements by US envoy Steve Witkoff, who said that progress had been made during weekend discussions involving Ukraine and Russia. Those comments raised the possibility of reviving three-way peace negotiations, which could potentially bring the parties together in an effort to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. However, Yasko’s remarks present a sharply contrasting assessment of the diplomatic prospects. She characterizes the US envoys’ favorable treatment of Putin as “disgraceful” and questions whether the talks represent a credible path toward peace. Her position reflects broader Ukrainian concerns that negotiations could be used by Moscow to gain political or strategic advantages without making meaningful commitments to stop the war. The article is presented as a short video report by France 24 journalist Mark Owen. Its central tension is between the US assessment that diplomatic momentum may be developing and the Ukrainian view that Russia, particularly Putin, is not seriously committed to ending hostilities. The report also identifies Donald Trump and Jared Kushner among the figures connected to the broader diplomatic context, though the supplied text does not provide further details about their roles.

In an NPR interview, Leila Fadel asks William Taylor, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, to assess recent visits to Moscow and Kyiv by President Trump’s emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Taylor says their decision to visit Ukraine is significant because serious negotiations require hearing directly from both Russia and Ukraine. However, he does not expect an immediate breakthrough because Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no willingness to make concessions, agree to a ceasefire or negotiate an end to the war. Taylor argues that Russia is under growing pressure from Ukrainian attacks on military targets, its military-industrial base, energy infrastructure and economy. Although the conflict has imposed severe losses on both sides, he says Putin has not yet demonstrated that this pressure is changing his position. On the battlefield, Taylor describes the situation as divided: Ukraine is performing well on land and at sea, while both countries are conducting damaging air attacks. He says Ukraine has an advantage because it continues to receive substantial support from allies, unlike Russia. Taylor also contends that declining U.S. military and financial assistance to Ukraine has weakened American influence in the region. He views the emissaries’ visit to Kyiv as a positive change, but criticizes the previous U.S. approach, arguing that Witkoff has repeatedly echoed Russia’s position and placed pressure on Ukraine to accept it. Taylor recommends stronger U.S. support for Ukraine’s military, energy systems and air defenses, particularly ahead of a potentially harsh winter. He says continued assistance is in the U.S. and European security interests. Taylor’s proposed compromise would involve a ceasefire along the existing front line, security guarantees for Ukraine, recognition that Russia controls approximately 19% of Ukrainian territory, and no legal acceptance of Russian sovereignty over those areas.

NPR reports that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's leading peace envoys, visited Kyiv for the first official wartime visit by the administration's representatives to Ukraine. They traveled directly from Moscow, where they had held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as part of an effort to restart stalled negotiations intended to end Russia's war against Ukraine. At a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kushner, Witkoff and Zelenskyy described the discussions as substantive and said new ideas had been presented. However, they did not disclose the details of those proposals, and the meeting produced no breakthrough. Kushner said Trump wanted to end the war as soon as possible and expressed a willingness to pursue a settlement potentially by the winter, while acknowledging that such an outcome was uncertain. Zelenskyy appeared skeptical and said he expected Russia to continue fighting. He is also seeking additional military assistance, particularly air-defense systems, as Ukraine faces another difficult winter and the possibility of renewed Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Peace talks have stalled partly because the White House has focused on Iran since the United States and Israel attacked the country in February. However, Ukrainian officials say communication with Trump's team—and occasionally with Russian representatives—has continued. The principal disagreements remain unresolved, especially over territory. Russia wants Ukraine to surrender land it still controls, a proposal opposed by most Ukrainians. Zelenskyy said such a decision could only be made by national leaders, including himself and Putin, potentially with Trump and European leaders involved. Although the visit did not yield an agreement, it had symbolic importance for Kyiv. Because Ukrainian airspace is closed, the envoys arrived by train, dubbed the Peace Express. Zelenskyy said their presence may have deterred Russia from bombing the capital and jokingly urged them to visit more often so Ukrainians could experience temporary relief from attacks.

Ukrainian drones struck three Russian oil refineries on September 7 in Russia’s Perm region, Tatarstan, and Ryazan, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. One of the affected facilities is reportedly owned by Lukoil, Russia’s largest private oil company. Ukraine also targeted a Russian drone launch and storage site in Kursk Oblast and another target in the Black Sea, although Zelensky did not provide full details. The attacks came shortly after US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow and Kyiv to support renewed peace negotiations aimed at ending the more than four-year Russia-Ukraine war. The envoys met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, and Witkoff said the discussions produced substantive progress, including movement toward additional trilateral talks. He also said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a three-day cease-fire before the diplomatic visit. The US delegation was forced to travel by train for more than 10 hours after Russian strikes affected airports in Kyiv. Zelensky characterized those attacks as a possible response to US diplomatic efforts and preparations for an American aircraft to land in Kyiv or at Boryspil Airport. Several Trump administration officials have blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure for contributing to higher US gasoline prices. Energy Secretary Chris Wright called the attacks the single largest factor, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Ukraine’s actions were creating upward pressure on global prices. Zelensky said his discussions with the US focused on air-defense requirements, technological cooperation, and a winter support package. He described Ukraine’s proposals as constructive while both sides prepared for further meetings and communications.