Officials Work Very Hard to End Russia-Ukraine War Amid Stalled Peace Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg stated in Kyiv that officials are intensifying efforts to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine, although progress toward a peace settlement remains slow. The U.S. and its allies are working toward providing Ukraine with security guarantees to alleviate fears of future Russian invasions, though these guarantees are still a work in progress. Trump recently initiated arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but Russian officials have indicated such a summit is unlikely in the near term, prompting Trump to consider next steps within two weeks. A series of high-level visits to Kyiv, including those by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Germany's Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, reflect ongoing international support and discussions about backing Ukraine in peace efforts. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin is strengthening ties with allies like Iran, China, India, and North Korea as Western nations continue supporting Ukraine. These diplomatic efforts underscore a coordinated Western commitment to resolving the conflict, even as challenges persist.