US and Ukraine talks fail to bridge fundamental gaps with Russia

US envoys visited Kyiv for talks with Ukraine's leadership, marking their first trip to the country since Russia's full-scale invasion, but fundamental differences between the warring parties remain unresolved. The US delegation, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met with President Zelensky after holding discussions with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Both sides described the talks as substantive, though Ukraine insisted on strong security guarantees and rejected territorial concessions in the Donbas region. Russia reiterated its longstanding demands that Ukraine cede territory, abandon Nato aspirations, and reduce its army size. Kyiv expects fighting to continue through a hard winter, with some diplomats suggesting a possible settlement window next spring.