Key Points
Zelensky held positive talks with US envoys Witkoff and Kushner on June 8 in Moldova.
European leaders back direct Zelensky-Putin talks to secure a ceasefire and said Europe will participate.
US-brokered talks have stalled as Washington focuses on Iran conflict instead.
Russia publicly rejected diplomacy, with Putin calling direct talks pointless and saying war will be decided on battlefield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on June 8 in Moldova and called the conversation “very positive.” Zelensky said the envoys committed to stepping up diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s four-year war against Ukraine in the coming weeks. The meeting signals renewed US engagement after months of stalled talks, though Washington remains focused on the Iran conflict.
What Zelensky Said About the Meeting
Zelensky described the conversation as very positive and expressed gratitude for the envoys’ readiness to work on a settlement. He said they discussed prospects for talks at the forthcoming G7 summit in the French resort of Evian in June. Zelensky acknowledged that much of the world’s attention remains on Iran but stressed that peace in Europe remains on the agenda.
European Leaders Back Direct Talks With Putin
Before meeting the US envoys, Zelensky held talks in London with the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany. The three European leaders supported Zelensky’s proposal for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try to secure a ceasefire. Europe said it would play a role in any peace process. Zelensky praised the readiness to work on ending the war.
Why US Talks Have Stalled
US-brokered talks on Ukraine, overseen by Witkoff and Kushner, have been stalled for months. Washington has shifted focus to the Iran conflict, leaving Ukraine waiting for direct engagement from Trump’s negotiating team. Zelensky stated Ukraine is in the queue behind the Iran issue but remains committed to ongoing contact with US negotiators.
Moscow Shows Little Interest in Diplomacy
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the war will be decided on the battlefield, not through diplomacy. Putin has publicly mocked Zelensky’s call for direct talks, calling it rude and insisting that a meeting would be pointless. These statements suggest Moscow has no real interest in negotiation despite Western diplomatic efforts.
Final Thoughts
Zelensky’s meeting with US envoys marks a diplomatic opening after months of stalled talks, but Russia’s public rejection of negotiations limits near-term peace prospects. Investors should monitor G7 summit outcomes in June and any shifts in US policy toward Ukraine versus Iran.
FAQs
They discussed prospects for talks at the G7 summit in Evian and ways to advance diplomacy on ending the Ukraine war in coming weeks.
Washington focused on the Iran conflict, leaving Ukraine awaiting direct engagement from Trump’s negotiating team on peace efforts.
Putin mocked Zelensky’s call for direct talks, saying a meeting would be pointless. Russia claims the war will be decided on the battlefield.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
About Author

Danny Kontos
Co FounderDanny Kontos has been a stock investor since 2007 and co-founded Meyka in 2023. He keeps a small, focused portfolio and only moves when the numbers are hard to argue with. He has waited years on a single position before. Before Meyka, he ran a web hosting company and a mortgage lending platform, so he knows what a well-run business actually looks like under the hood. This article did not come from a news cycle. It came from someone who has been watching this space for a long time.
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