Big names, smaller table. That’s the vibe in London as this week’s Ukraine-Russia ceasefire talks quietly scale down.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio?
Out. Special envoy Steve Witkoff? Also out. The new lineup?
Senior officials from key Western allies, plus a very focused UK-Ukraine one-on-one.
While officials still plan to talk behind closed doors, it’s clear the energy has shifted.
What’s Going On?
Rubio chalked it up to “technical meetings,” while Witkoff heads to Moscow—again—for direct talks with Putin.
Is Russia finally ready to pause the war?
Whispers say the Kremlin might settle for current front lines… if the US recognises Crimea as Russian.
But President Zelensky isn’t biting.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” he said, flatly rejecting any deal that trades land for peace.
Meanwhile, Russia’s air strikes ramped up again with deadly drone attacks and blackouts in Kherson.
There are no real signs of the so-called Easter truce.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey summed it up: “Putin says he wants peace but keeps playing for time.”
So, what comes next? A fragile ceasefire, real negotiations—or just more posturing?
One thing’s clear: peace still feels a long way off, but every talk, even a “technical” one, keeps hope alive.
