Witkoff and Kushner in Kyiv: Can Peace Come Before Winter?

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Kyiv after Moscow, expressing hope to end the Russia-Ukraine war before winter, though no guarantees were made. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the war will likely continue through winter. The core sticking point remains territorial control, particularly the Donbas. Russia controls about 98% of Luhansk and over 70% of Donetsk, demanding full Ukrainian withdrawal from the region, which Kyiv rejects as it would expose central Ukraine. Zelensky called the Donbas issue "the question of this war." New ideas for a settlement were discussed, including a "Prosperity Plan" for post-war reconstruction and US-Ukraine economic cooperation. Ukraine insists on European participation in negotiations, with further US-Ukraine-Europe talks planned. A US Treasury sanctions official joined the Moscow meetings, signaling pressure tactics alongside diplomatic efforts.