By Staff Reporter
KAMPALA — US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are heading to Kyiv after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, in a renewed diplomatic effort to find a way to end the war in Ukraine.
The White House said the discussions covered “substantive plans” that could be announced in the coming weeks. However, the talks have not yet produced a breakthrough, with Russia and Ukraine still divided over the terms of a possible peace agreement.
The Moscow meeting, held on Saturday, was described by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as highly useful. He said several ideas for a settlement had been discussed, while the US side indicated that further engagement with Ukraine would follow.
Envoys continue diplomatic effort
The visit to Kyiv is expected to give Ukrainian authorities an opportunity to respond to proposals discussed in Moscow. The talks are part of a wider effort by the US administration to bring the two sides closer to negotiations after years of fighting.
According to reports, the discussions did not result in an immediate agreement. Russia continues to insist on its longstanding demands, including territorial concessions and restrictions on Ukraine’s future security arrangements, while Kyiv has rejected terms it considers unacceptable.
The diplomatic engagement comes as the war continues to impose heavy costs on both countries. Although the negotiations have raised hopes of progress, the absence of a clear agreement means that the fighting and political disagreements remain unresolved.
Temporary pause amid continuing attacks
The talks have also coincided with a temporary pause in strikes on Kyiv and Moscow, according to reports. The arrangement was intended to create space for diplomatic engagement, but it has not ended the wider conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed readiness for peace, while stressing the importance of security guarantees and a durable settlement. Russia, meanwhile, has maintained its position on the conditions it wants addressed before a final agreement can be reached.
The continued differences underline the difficulty of converting diplomatic discussions into a lasting ceasefire. Any agreement would have to address the security concerns of both sides, the status of disputed territories and the arrangements needed to prevent renewed fighting.
What happens next
The envoys’ meetings in Kyiv are expected to provide further clarification on the proposals discussed with Mr Putin. The White House has indicated that more details may emerge in the coming weeks, but no timetable for a final settlement has been announced.
For now, the diplomatic effort remains a work in progress. The Moscow talks have opened another channel for engagement, but the central issues that have prolonged the war remain unresolved.
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