Peace talks rich in symbolism but differences between Russia and Ukraine remain - BBC News

Despite talks between US envoys and both Putin and Zelensky, the expectation in Kyiv is the fighting will continue, writes James Landale.

Image source, ReutersByJames LandaleDiplomatic correspondentPublished6 September 2026The talks 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.

The fact they had to travel by train because they could not risk flying and running the gauntlet of Russian drones - weapons launched on the orders of the man at whose table they sat in the Kremlin only hours ago.

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 also just a few yards from where Russian drones hit the headquarters of the country's security services on Friday.

You did not have to join too many dots to work out the point Zelensky was making.

Both sides held talks for several hours; they were later joined by some European national security advisers, including the UK's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.