President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Kyiv on Sunday, marking their first visit to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion. The meeting took place at Kyiv's St Sophia Cathedral, near the site of a recent Russian drone strike on Ukraine's security services headquarters. Zelensky expressed readiness to discuss ending the war, emphasizing the need for security guarantees and a dignified post-war peace. The envoys had previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for three hours of talks described as 'frank' and 'constructive' by the Kremlin. Zelensky stated his country was 'ready for a substantive conversation' ahead of the Kyiv meeting.

The envoys traveled to Kyiv by train after flying to Poland, as Ukrainian airspace remains closed since the war began in February 2022. Zelensky noted that landing their plane was not possible due to Russian strikes on Kyiv's airports. Both sides agreed to halt strikes on each other's capitals for three days to facilitate the negotiations. Russian state media reported that the Moscow talks were held behind closed doors in Putin's official residence. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov described the discussions as 'constructive, extremely frank,' and mentioned that economic issues and potential Russian-American projects were discussed in detail. However, no specific outcomes were announced.

Ukraine's military confirmed continued strikes on Russian targets, including an oil refinery and an airfield, while Russia claimed to have neutralized 258 Ukrainian drones. Ukrainian forces reported shooting down 82 drones and six missiles, though 11 locations were hit. Zelensky reiterated on social media that Ukraine is 'interested in bringing the end of the war closer' and emphasized the need for security guarantees and a 'dignified character of the postwar peace.' The talks come amid an escalation of aerial attacks, with Ukraine struggling to repel Russian missile and drone strikes due to a shortage of interceptor missiles.

The US envoys' visit follows similar efforts by British, French, and German national security advisers who were in Kyiv earlier in the week. A White House official stated that the Moscow talks 'discussed substantive plans for next steps' toward ending the war, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks. Despite the ongoing conflict, both sides have not ruled out further diplomatic efforts, including the possibility of a trilateral meeting between Russia, the US, and China. However, no agreement has been reached on the agenda or outcomes of such a meeting. The situation remains fluid, with both nations continuing to exchange strikes while negotiations proceed.

Zelensky's defense technology adviser, Serhii Beskrestnov, warned of the risks of a prolonged war, suggesting the government consider evacuating elderly people from Kyiv ahead of potential Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. The war has now lasted over four and a half years, with Russia controlling about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. While Russian ground forces have made slow progress, the conflict continues to strain both nations' resources and populations. The envoys' visit underscores the ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a resolution, though the path to peace remains uncertain.