Ukraine, US hold third straight day of talks, saying advances hinge on Russia’s willingness to end conflict

Key Highlights

• The exact nature of these guarantees remains unclear, aside from an initial idea to base jets for Kyiv’s defence in Poland. More from World US envoy Witkoff heads to Moscow as Washington pushes for breakthrough in Russia–Ukraine talks Trump and his deadlines: Another one to end Russia-Ukraine war goes byThe proposal has undergone several revisions since it surfaced late last month, amid early criticism that it appeared too lenient toward Russia, which launched its invasion in February 2022.
• Witkoff, formerly Trump’s business partner and now a roving global ambassador, and Kushner had sought to convince Putin to accept the plan but left Moscow without an agreement. Cordial Moscow meeting and ongoing diplomatic effortsDespite the lack of a deal, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described Tuesday’s five-hour late-night meeting in Moscow as cordial and welcomed Kushner’s involvement in the talks, which have been under way since spring.
• He said Putin and Witkoff held a genuinely friendly conversation and understood each other well, adding that Kushner had proved useful. Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote on social media on Friday that much of the diplomatic process happens behind the scenes.
• He said Ukraine seeks to end the war and is ready for discussions, while the United States wants a pragmatic process and a swift end to the conflict, expecting compromises from both sides. Quick ReadsView AllNepali PM Karki holds talks with political parties, Election Commission & Gen-Z about elections2 boat survivors killed by US strike on Sept 2 didn’t have weapon or means to escapeTrump said on Wednesday that his envoys had a reasonably good meeting with Putin, maintaining that they left with the strong impression that he wished to end the war.
• Since returning to office in January, Trump has alternated between embracing Putin and criticising Zelensky for what he described as a lack of gratitude for US support.