US Envoys Pitch Winter De-escalation Plan to Kyiv and Moscow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner brought new ideas to Moscow and Kyiv aimed at de-escalating the war before and during winter, particularly regarding energy infrastructure. In an Axios interview, Zelensky said the US representatives sought to "unblock" diplomatic talks and proposed steps on energy, grain, electricity, and oil and gas exports. He confirmed Washington's approach closely matches efforts to resume negotiations and help both sides survive winter without major escalation. The US also supports a separate "winter package" for Ukraine, including air defense and energy aid, such as liquefied natural gas. Zelensky described the goal as finding steps that "can bring the sides closer to peace."