What are the latest developments in diplomatic efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine, including Russia's openness to renewed U.S. mediation, the planned visit of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Kyiv and Moscow, Ukraine's undisclosed joint plan to pressure Putin int

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine have intensified in recent weeks, with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner preparing a dual visit to Kyiv and Moscow, Ukraine handing the U.S. a new peace proposal, and Russia signaling openness to renewed U.S.-mediated talks — though the core positions of both sides remain far apart and formal negotiations are still stalled.

Planned Witkoff/Kushner visit to Kyiv and Moscow

• U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Kyiv and Moscow within the next 7–10 days, according to Russian state-run Tass news agency, marking a renewed push by the Trump administration to revive peace talks .
• Zelensky confirmed a visit by the two envoys to Kyiv is possible "within the next two weeks," with a Moscow stop expected to follow . Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on August 14 that Moscow stands ready to host them once the itinerary is clear .
• Zelensky and the envoys held discussions on July 22 about "more active diplomacy" and moving toward an accord to end the war .

Ukraine's proposals and "joint plan" to pressure Putin

• On August 11, Zelensky announced that Ukraine had handed formal proposals to U.S. negotiators for a plan to end the war, warning that Russia may use its upcoming parliamentary election as a pretext for a new mobilisation .
• Zelensky also stated on August 12 that Ukraine has a "joint plan" with its international partners to put pressure on Putin to end the war, though specific details have not been disclosed. He emphasized that holding the front line and securing stronger air defense support are key conditions for forcing Russia toward negotiations .

Russia's openness to U.S. mediation and preconditions

• Russia has stated it is ready to resume peace talks, but wants to discuss U.S. proposals first and foremost . Moscow has also flatly denied that Washington has relayed any new U.S. proposals yet .
• The Kremlin reiterated on June 29 that its core conditions have not changed: Ukraine must withdraw from four regions Russia claims as its own and drop its NATO ambitions . Russia has also ruled out a "freeze" of the conflict, insisting on addressing what it calls "root causes" .
• A Kremlin official stated on August 1 that Moscow has no plans to resume talks until it establishes full control over the Donbas .

Status of stalled peace talks

• The last round of U.S.-mediated trilateral talks in Geneva (February 2026) ended without a breakthrough, with delegations noting some progress but key disagreements unresolved .
• Talks stalled further after the conflict in Iran diverted U.S. attention. In June, the Kremlin said contacts with Witkoff and Kushner had paused because the envoys were "busy with other issues," but expressed confidence they would resume .
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on July 31 that the U.S. would attempt to revive Ukraine-Russia talks within weeks, though he cautioned that success depends on the willingness of both sides .
• Analysts report that none of the current proposals satisfy both Kyiv and Moscow, and that both sides lack an exit strategy — making a deal unlikely in 2026 .

Bottom line: The diplomatic track is reactivating with a high-level U.S. visit, a new Ukrainian proposal, and Russian willingness to talk — but the fundamental gap on territory, Donbas control, and NATO membership remains unbridged. Formal peace talks are still effectively stalled.