The United States and its European allies are intensifying diplomatic contacts regarding a possible end to the war, while at the same time emphasizing the need for continued support for Ukraine. In Washington, there is increasing talk of russia’s strategic failure, while in Europe, support is growing for the idea of new negotiation formats involving Kyiv, moscow, and international partners. Against the backdrop of this diplomatic activity, Ukraine is reporting successes on the front line and the return of new territories under its control.
U.S. at the UN Calls russia’s Invasion of Ukraine a Strategic Failure
U.S. Representative to the UN Economic and Social Council Dan Negrea saidthat russia’s decision to launch its full-scale invasion of Ukraine was a strategic mistake for the kremlin. Speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council, he emphasized that moscow had failed to achieve its goals on the battlefield, while further escalation only deepens the consequences of the war. The American diplomat drew attention to strikes on russian oil refining infrastructure and the difficulties facing the russian army. According to him, continuing the fighting cannot change the overall outcome of the conflict.
Negrea also called on states to stop supporting russia’s war efforts. He separately mentioned Iran, which supplied drones to russia, as well as Cuba, whose citizens are taking part in the war on the side of the russian federation. At the same time, the U.S. representative stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict. According to him, negotiations remain the only path to ending the war, and the United States is ready to help achieve a lasting peace between the parties.
Zelensky Discusses Prospects for Diplomatic Settlement with Witkoff and Kushner
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a conversation with U.S. President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to the Office of the President, the conversation took place during the Ukrainian leader’s stop at Chisinau airport. Zelensky described the conversation as positive and noted that the parties discussed the possibility of intensifying diplomatic efforts in the coming weeks. The main topic was advancing the negotiation process aimed at ending russia’s war against Ukraine.
The conversation also covered the upcoming G7 summit and other international events scheduled for June. Zelensky informed his interlocutors about the Ukrainian side’s assessments of moscow’s position and intentions. The President emphasized that despite the world’s significant attention to the situation surrounding Iran, the issue of peace and security in Europe remains urgent. He also thanked his American interlocutors for their support for Ukraine and their positive assessment of Ukraine’s position.
Leaders of Britain, France, and Germany Support the Idea of Direct Talks Between Ukraine and russia
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the proposal to hold direct talks between Volodymyr Zelensky and vladimir putin. This is stated in a joint declaration following a meeting with the President of Ukraine in London. The European leaders supported the call to end the war through diplomatic means and emphasized the need for active U.S. and European participation in the negotiation process. They also confirmed Europe’s readiness to play an important role in reaching future agreements.
The participants of the meeting outlined the conditions that, in their view, should form the basis for a just and lasting peace. Among them are an immediate ceasefire, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the preservation of frozen russian assets until compensation is paid for the damage caused. Zelensky emphasized the importance of Europe’s strong position in any negotiations on ending the war. He also stated that Ukraine needs additional missiles for air defense systems amid ongoing russian attacks.
Syrskyi Says Ukraine Has Retaken More Than 600 Square Kilometers of Territory in 2026
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi also reportedthat since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian forces have restored control over more than 600 square kilometers of territory. According to him, in May alone, the area of liberated territory exceeded the area of losses by approximately 100 square kilometers. Syrskyi did not specify particular directions, but noted that Ukrainian forces continue to maintain the initiative in certain sections of the front. President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier voiced a similar assessment.
At the same time, the Commander-in-Chief emphasized that the situation on the front remains difficult and dynamic. russian troops continue active offensive operations in eastern and southern Ukraine, and the number of combat clashes has recently increased. The Pokrovsk area, as well as certain sections in the southeast of the country, remain among the hottest directions. According to analysts, Ukrainian counterattacks and strikes on rear areas have helped slow the pace of the russian advance and complicated moscow’s plans for new offensive operations.
kremlin Says There Are No Plans for a New Conversation Between putin and Trump
The kremlin saidthat no phone call is currently planned between U.S. President Donald Trump and vladimir putin. This was stated by kremlin spokesman dmitry peskov. According to him, U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner continue to maintain contacts with both russia and Ukraine, but there are no specific dates yet for their possible visit to moscow. Peskov added that the russian side is ready to receive the American negotiators at any moment.
The kremlin spokesman also said that the negotiation process regarding Ukraine is currently on pause. At the same time, he confirmed that contacts continue through existing diplomatic channels. Commenting on the possible participation of European countries in mediation, peskov was critical and called such an option unacceptable for russia. According to him, moscow believes that European states are more interested in continuing the war than in facilitating peace talks.
Photo: REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov
Author: Danylo Pievchev