U.S. Envoys Seek Momentum in Ukraine War Talks

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv as Washington sought to revive negotiations to end the war. The discussions covered territorial and security disputes, air defense, energy support for the coming winter, economic reconstruction and possible renewed trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, with European participation expected. Ukrainian officials said new U.S. proposals were more effective, and the envoys expressed cautious optimism, but no breakthrough was announced; territorial concessions, security guarantees and direct leader-level talks remain obstacles. Zelenskyy warned the war could continue into winter, while Russian analysts characterized the diplomacy as an effort to assess negotiating positions and build political momentum. Fighting continued despite a reported temporary 72-hour pause in strikes on the two capitals, with Ukrainian authorities reporting at least three people killed and 38 wounded in Russian attacks over the previous day and dozens of intercepted Russian drones.