Bangladesh, April 23 -- As diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict intensify, two of Washingtons most prominent representatives-Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff-will not attend a pivotal round of peace talks in London this week. Their absence has fueled speculation about a shift in US priorities and the evolving nature of its diplomatic engagements, particularly as Witkoff is confirmed to be traveling to Moscow for another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The London summit, scheduled for April 23, was expected to mark a key milestone in the negotiation process between Ukraine and its Western backers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. These countrie...