Talks involving US envoys, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have carried important symbolism, but they have not overcome the fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite the meetings, the expectation in Kyiv is that the fighting will continue. The discussions have therefore offered no clear indication that an end to the conflict is imminent.
The engagement with both Putin and Zelensky shows an effort by US envoys to address the positions of the two leaders directly. However, the talks have so far highlighted the distance that remains between Moscow and Kyiv rather than producing a resolution.
The contrast between the symbolism of the meetings and the continued expectation of war is central to the current situation. Diplomatic contact has taken place, but the underlying disagreements remain unresolved.
For Ukraine, the belief that fighting will continue reflects the limited progress evident after the talks. While negotiations can provide a channel for communication, they have not yet changed the outlook in Kyiv.
At this time, the known picture is one of diplomatic activity without a breakthrough: US envoys have held talks with Putin and Zelensky, but fundamental differences persist and Ukraine expects the conflict to continue.
