US envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv for Ukraine peace talks

US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have conducted high-level visits to both Moscow and Kyiv as part of diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the Ukraine conflict. While President Volodymyr Zelensky described certain proposals presented by the envoys as “very good and very worthy,” focusing on de-escalation measures for energy infrastructure and grain supplies, no definitive breakthrough has been achieved.

Despite the diplomatic activity, tensions remain high. Reports indicate that President Vladimir Putin maintains maximalist objectives in Ukraine. On the ground, Russian missile and drone strikes continue to cause casualties, and a Russian drone recently violated Moldovan airspace, raising concerns about the conflict's regional expansion.

President Zelensky has emphasized the need for sustained international support, particularly regarding air defense systems and energy security, as he anticipates the war could potentially continue through 2027. While President Donald Trump has suggested that both sides expressed a desire for an agreement, the underlying drivers of the conflict remain unresolved.