Achieving peace in Ukraine will require both Moscow and Kiev to "make compromises and resolve outstanding issues." This is according to American mediator Steve Witkoff, who arrived in Ukraine aboard the "Peace Express" train with Jared Kushner to try to find a way to end the conflict that has bloodied the country for over four years. This mission, after yesterday's talks in Moscow, has not seen any substantial progress, despite the mediator's optimism that he "has the ingredients to achieve" peace.
"It's very difficult, but we're committed, we care, and we hope that all this will lead to a peaceful and successful diplomatic solution," says Witkoff. This optimism clashes with the realism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who in the three rounds of talks also discussed Patriot ("A very urgent and very important issue for us") and the package that will help Ukrainians get through the winter. "If the war were to continue into the winter—and so far it seems that it will—we are counting heavily on the 'winter package' that I discussed in detail today with Steve, Jared, and our European partners." Because the reasons for the diplomatic stalemate remain the same. First and foremost, obviously, is the territorial issue : Moscow claims the four regions it partially controls, and Kiev is asking to freeze the front line. For Zelensky, the issue remains "relevant. We've discussed it. But I remain of the opinion that such complex issues can only be resolved at the presidential level."
This is the trilateral Ukraine-Russia-United States format for future talks, advocated at the end of the third round of meetings in Kiev by the American president's son-in-law. Meanwhile, Kushner adds, the United States is working on a "peace package" that could facilitate a peace agreement in Ukraine. Despite American efforts, distances remain. Russia is also digging in its heels for a neutral and virtually demilitarized Ukraine, and Kiev wants guarantees for its security and a strong army . And while ground strikes by both sides continue, Moscow is also heightening tensions with Europe, accusing Germany of making unverified accusations over the Leipzig airport drone incident. For Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Berlin's resulting diplomatic retaliation represents "the beginning of a real war."
