US explores winter de-escalation steps for Ukraine and Russia, Zelenskyy says

The United States is exploring whether Ukraine and Russia can take steps to de-escalate the war during the winter while resuming talks on a broader peace agreement, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Axios. Zelenskyy stated that the weeks before winter offer a window for diplomacy, though he believes Russian dictator Vladimir Putin expects another harsh winter to weaken Ukraine. He expressed confidence that the US can pressure Putin, noting that Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner brought a message from Moscow that "Russians are ready for negotiations." Witkoff and Kushner also brought new ideas, which Zelenskyy declined to detail but said included potential de-escalation steps regarding energy facilities, grain supplies, and oil and gas exports. The goal is to find steps before or during winter that could bring the sides closer to peace.