US diplomats’ Ukraine negotiations amid escalating war

On 2 July 2026 Russia launched a major missile strike on Kyiv, killing at least 30 people and damaging over 100 homes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed disappointment with the United States’ diplomatic approach, noting that the US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – appointed by President Donald Trump – have been the sole high‑level contacts and that key posts such as the US ambassador to Moscow have remained vacant.

Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump held phone calls on 4 July with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky, discussing the ongoing Ukraine conflict and broader regional security. The calls lasted about 85 minutes, with Putin and Trump also addressing the situation in Iran and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine continued to exchange drone attacks, including a strike on St Petersburg that hit a port and oil infrastructure.

The United States also marked its 250th Independence Day on 4 July, though severe weather forced adjustments to outdoor celebrations. The holiday unfolded alongside diplomatic activity, underscoring the United States’ simultaneous domestic and international engagements.