The Kremlin on Sunday denied reports of upcoming three-way negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, as diplomates gathered in Miami to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict, Europe’s deadliest in decades
Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov dismissed the possibility of a trilateral format during a press conference with state news agencies. “At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge, it is not in preparation,” Ushakov told reporters.
A day earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Washington suggested this format, yet he remains doubtful regarding its potential for success, saying that he was “not sure that anything new could come of it” while requesting more American pressure on Moscow. Consequently, the prospect of the first face-to-face negotiations in six months appears increasingly unlikely as both sides maintain firm public stances.
Progress in Miami Negotiations
Despite the Kremlin’s public denial, high-level envoys continue to meet in Florida under the mediation of US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev joined Ukrainian and European teams to review a redrafted 28-point American peace plan for the region.
“Constructive” talks between Western and Ukrainian negotiators are “moving at a fairly rapid pace,” Zelensky remarked in a more optimistic update. However, the Ukrainian leader cautioned that “much depends on whether Russia feels the need to end the war for real.” He highlighted ongoing Russian strikes and frontline assaults as “negative signals” that contradict the spirit of peaceful diplomacy.
While Moscow argues that European involvement hinders the process, President Vladimir Putin reportedly remains open to direct talks with France. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin “expressed readiness to engage in dialogue with Macron” if mutual political will exists.
The French presidency welcomed this statement but promised to maintain full transparency with Zelensky and European allies during any discussions. Meanwhile, heavy fighting continues as Russia launched over 1,000 drones and bombs against Ukrainian infrastructure targets throughout the past week.
