London Peace Talks on Russia-Ukraine War Scaled Back Amid Ongoing Violence

A planned high-level meeting between U.S., British, French, and Ukrainian diplomats aimed at advancing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine was abruptly canceled, highlighting deep divisions and stalled negotiations. U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicated that the U.S. had proposed freezing territorial lines close to current positions, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected any agreement that would require ceding territory to Russia. With Secretary of State Marco Rubio absent, the talks in London were downgraded to lower-level officials, raising doubts about future progress. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted ongoing but unproductive consultations, while U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow soon. Meanwhile, the war continues unabated, as demonstrated by a Russian drone attack in eastern Ukraine that killed at least nine civilians and injured over 40. Even limited ceasefires remain elusive, underscoring the intractable nature of the conflict.