US diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine stalled in recent months as Washington shifted its focus to the war with Iran. However, the situation recently became more positive after two US President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, visited Moskva and Kiev respectively to present new peace proposals.

"Russia does not rule out the possibility of resuming the trilateral mechanism, but it is too early to talk about a specific location or time at this moment," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on 7/9, referring to the possibility of talks with the US and Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in St. Petersburg on 4/6. *Reuters*

Envoys Witkoff and Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last weekend in a new effort to end the fighting. A senior source from the Ukrainian President's office revealed that the two envoys brought proposals that were "different from before" and "more effective" to end the conflict, though specifics were not disclosed. President Trump on 4/9 suggested that the US had a new proposal but also did not provide details.

President Zelensky on 6/9 stated he had "very substantive" discussions with the US envoys, adding that Ukraine is ready for trilateral dialogue with the US and Russia. He also said the parties discussed providing energy and air defense assistance to Ukraine before winter.

US envoys Jared Kushner (left) and Steve Witkoff in Kiev on 6/9. *AFP*

Yuri Ushakov, President Putin's foreign policy advisor, also described the dialogue with US envoys in Moskva on 5/9 as "very useful". A White House official told Reuters that the next steps would be announced in the coming weeks.

Previous US-mediated talks yielded few results as Russia and Ukraine remained at odds over key issues, including the future of the Donbass region. Russia demanded Ukraine withdraw troops from the entire Donbass region, but Kiev rejected any territorial concessions.

For Ukraine, security guarantees from the US and European allies are key to preventing a recurrence of the conflict once a peace agreement is reached. The Ukrainian President stated this issue was discussed but did not say whether any progress had been made.

By Ngoc Anh, with reports from AFP and Reuters