US-Russia peace talks yield no breakthrough as Ukraine fighting expected to continue

Peace talks between US envoys and Russian and Ukrainian leaders were rich in symbolism but yielded no breakthrough, with fundamental differences remaining and fighting expected to continue in Ukraine. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Kyiv after talks with Putin in Moscow, where Russia claimed battlefield advances. Ukraine countered with territorial gains and 42,000 Russian casualties in August, while Zelensky demanded strong security guarantees and refused to cede Donbas territory. Witkoff said progress was made but acknowledged both sides must compromise, though neither appears willing. Kyiv expects a hard winter of continued fighting, with some diplomats seeing a possible settlement window next spring and others less optimistic.