Winter diplomacy in focus as US weighs steps to ease Russia-Ukraine war

The U.S. is considering winter-time de-escalation steps and a restart of talks between Russia and Ukraine, with Zelensky telling Axios that ideas include energy, grain, and security measures as part of a broader winter package of aid. U.S. envoys Kushner and Witkoff visited Kyiv after meetings with Putin, signaling a push to unblock diplomacy, though Zelensky remains wary about Russia’s willingness to compromise. The aim is to resume negotiations around or before winter, potentially at the UN General Assembly, while Ukraine maintains military resilience and continues sanctions pressure.