full of symbolism, but differences of opinion remain

The peace talks in Kyiv were full of symbolism, as US President Donald Trump's envoys set foot on Ukrainian soil for the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion, writes the BBC. The American negotiators had to travel to Kyiv by train to avoid attacks by Russian drones – weapons launched at the behest of Russian dictator Putin, and just hours earlier the US envoys were sitting at his table in Moscow. It was also symbolic that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral, which is not only a monument to Ukrainian history but also lies just a few meters from the headquarters of the state security services, which was attacked by Russian drones on the 4th of September. The two sides spent several hours in talks, and later the Ukrainians and Americans were joined by security advisers from several European countries, including Britain's Jonathan Powell. The negotiators then spoke favorably of the important discussions that had taken place and expressed hope that trilateral talks could be resumed, involving both the Americans and the Europeans. However, fundamental differences of opinion remain. The US envoys had come straight from Moscow, where Putin had told them that Russia was making 'tangible progress' on the battlefield. In Ukraine, Americans heard a different story. Ukrainian officials said that more territory had been regained than lost since August, and that the number of casualties on the Russian side had reached 42,000. Putin told Witkoff and Kushner that the root causes of the conflict must be addressed, including his demand for territory that belongs to Ukraine, Kyiv's rejection of the idea of ​​joining NATO, and the significant reduction of the Ukrainian army. Zelensky said after the talks that Ukraine needed firm and clear security guarantees, including a strong army. He also made it clear that he would not give up Ukrainian land in the east of the country to the Russians. Meanwhile, Witkoff insisted that progress had been made and that everything was in place to reach an agreement. At the same time, he also acknowledged that there are serious disagreements between the parties involved, and a compromise is needed, but it is currently difficult to predict how this might happen. For now, Kyiv is preparing for the continuation of hostilities, and expects a harsh winter ahead. Some diplomats talk about a window of opportunity next spring, while others are much more pessimistic. Zelensky thanked the US envoys for their visit, as the brief pause in attacks has given the people of Kyiv a much-needed respite, but few believe it will last. Read also: Ukraine attacks Russia's Sochi port Follow us on Facebook and X!