Russia, U.S., Ukraine Near Diplomatic Settlement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv and a “Coalition of the Willing” will draft a short, low‑detail ceasefire and peace plan within the next week to ten days and urged the U.S. to supply long‑range weapons such as Tomahawk‑class systems, saying sanctions alone are insufficient. Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev, visiting Washington, said Russia, the U.S. and Ukraine are “reasonably close” to a diplomatic settlement, credited Zelensky’s recent shifts on battle lines as facilitating talks, and accused Britain and some European states of encouraging Kyiv to delay negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow could offer “security guarantees” to EU and NATO countries, that dialogue with the U.S. has visibly resumed, and that any presidential meeting must produce concrete results. Lavrov also warned that strategic arms‑control talks are stalled and urged a positive U.S. response to Russia’s proposal to extend New START limits. U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled some openness to long‑range missiles but expressed concerns about escalation and paused near‑term summit plans with Putin after a tense private exchange. Despite diplomatic openings, disagreements persist over Western pressure, the sequencing of talks, Kyiv’s demand for more military tools, and Russian demands for territorial concessions before any ceasefire.