Can Trump restart Russia-Ukraine peace talks?

White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv to restart Russia-Ukraine peace talks, but the trip yielded no breakthrough, though it may initiate a new process. Russia’s negotiating position has hardened, demanding Ukrainian neutrality, retention of occupied territories, and limits on Kyiv’s military. Moscow also insists Ukraine withdraw from remaining Donbas areas, disband far-right groups, and hold elections open to Russia-friendly parties, terms Kyiv and European backers reject. Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil infrastructure aimed to pressure Putin, but instead stiffened his stance, while Russia escalates attacks on Ukrainian logistics and industry. The envoys expressed cautious optimism, eyeing trilateral talks, but face opposition from pro-war factions in Western governments and NATO. Ukraine struggles with a $26bn defense budget gap, corruption scandals, and winter bombardment threats, raising doubts about its long-term resilience.