Peace talks rich in symbolism but fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine remain

Meanwhile, the discussions in Kyiv were rich in symbolism. The sight of Donald Trump's envoys setting foot on Ukrainian soil for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion.

Key points

• Both sides held discussions for a number of hours; they were afterwards joined by some European national security advisers, including the UK's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.
• The US envoys had come hot foot from Moscow where Vladimir Putin had informed them Russia was making "tangible advances" on the battlefield.
• After the discussions, Zelensky insisted Ukraine would require "strong and clear" security guarantees, including a robust army.
• You did not have to join too plenty of dots to work out the point Zelensky was making.
• The story they heard from Ukraine was different, in fact the opposite.

In practice, the fact they had to travel by train since they could not risk flying and running the gauntlet of Russian drones – weapons rolled out on the orders of the man at whose table they sat in the Kremlin only hours ago.

For context, the symbolism of Ukrainian President Zelensky greeting Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral, not only an icon of Ukraine's ancient history, but additionally just a few yards from where Russian drones hit the headquarters of the country's security services on Friday.

And afterwards, all sides spoke warmly of having held substantive discussions. They spoke hopefully of reviving past "trilateral talks" involving both the US and Europe.

But fundamental differences remain. The US envoys had come hot foot from Moscow where Vladimir Putin had informed them Russia was making "tangible advances" on the battlefield.

For context, the story they heard from Ukraine was different, in fact the opposite. Ukrainian authorities claim that in August they gained more territory than they lost and Russia suffered 42, 000 casualties, dead or wounded.

Putin had additionally informed the US envoys the root causes of the conflict had to be addressed, shorthand for his longstanding strategic demands that Ukraine cede territory, abandon hopes of joining Nato and reduce the size of its army.

After the discussions, Zelensky insisted Ukraine would require "strong and clear" security guarantees, including a robust army. Nor did he offer any sign of being willing to provide up any territory in the eastern Donbas region, an matter he described dryly as "difficult".

Witkoff insisted progress had been created and the ingredients for a settlement were there.

But he admitted both sides would have to create compromises to narrow the differences between them. And right now, it is hard to see either side doing that.

So for now, the expectation in Kyiv is that the fighting will continue and they will face a hard winter ahead.

Some diplomats talk of a window of opportunity for a feasible settlement next spring. Others are less optimistic.

Zelensky thanked the US envoys for their visit since the short-term pause in air strikes agreed by both sides had given the residents of Kyiv a brief respite. Few expect it to last for long.

For now, peace talks rich in symbolism but fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.