Diplomatic Efforts Around Ukraine Conflict Face Fresh Uncertainty

The United States wants Russia and Ukraine to hold a new round of talks this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, offering a possible diplomatic opening in a peace process that reports describe as largely stalled. The available accounts do not say where the meeting would take place, who would attend or what agenda Washington has proposed. NDTV reported Zelensky’s account as the United States seeks to revive negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

The material does not say whether either government has confirmed participation, and no Russian response is included. There is therefore no reported agreement, timetable beyond the stated intention to meet this month or indication that the proposal has moved beyond Washington’s stated preference. The diplomatic effort is unfolding alongside continued military pressure.

Ukraine says Russia has intensified aerial attacks across the country, although NDTV provides no locations, casualty figures or assessment of damage. The report also says US attention has shifted towards its war with Iran, a development presented as part of the difficult environment surrounding the stalled peace initiative. In separate comments reported by the South China Morning Post, Zelensky said he believed Russia may have shared jet-drone technology with North Korea.

Asked whether Moscow had transferred the technology behind its latest generation of jet-powered drones, Zelensky replied, “Yes, of course,” while adding that he did not know about ballistic technology with certainty. The South China Morning Post said Russia had sharply increased its use of jet-powered drones in recent weeks and that Ukraine currently had no effective means of countering them other than combat aircraft. The report did not identify the drone systems involved or provide independent evidence that Russia had transferred their technology to North Korea, making Zelensky’s comments an allegation rather than a confirmed development.

The claim comes against a wider account of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. According to the South China Morning Post, North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles, while thousands of North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia to gain combat experience. South Korea and Western countries have previously expressed concern that North Korea may be receiving weapons-development assistance from Russia in return.

India is also presenting itself as an intermediary. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said New Delhi was going “beyond advocacy” and holding conversations with both Russia and Ukraine.

He said India was trying to help with Black Sea shipping safety, grain and energy exports, and possible non-attack arrangements. His remarks indicate an effort to address practical issues even as the broader peace process remains uncertain. The reports do not establish whether India’s discussions are directly connected to the US-backed proposal for talks this month.