Ukrainian and United States officials will hold a third straight day of crucial talks in Miami on Saturday, confirming that real peace progress depends entirely on Russia’s willingness to end its devastating war.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have been meeting with top Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and Andrii Hnatov, the chief of staff of Kyiv’s armed forces.
Importantly, these discussions follow Witkoff and Kushner’s recent trip to the Kremlin, where they presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a US-backed plan to conclude the protracted conflict, though Moscow rejected specific provisions.
The Framework for Security
Witkoff posted a readout on X stating both parties “agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings.”
Furthermore, the US and Ukrainian officials established the “framework of security arrangements” and discussed the necessary deterrence capabilities required to sustain any lasting peace settlement. Washington’s proposal generally involves Ukraine surrendering territory that Russia has failed to decisively win on the battlefield in exchange for security promises that fall short of Kyiv’s desire for NATO membership.
Consequently, the specific nature of the guarantees Ukraine could receive remains shrouded in uncertainty, causing deep concern among Kyiv’s allies.
Moscow and Kyiv Reactions
Despite returning from Moscow without a definitive deal, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the five-hour, late-night meeting on Tuesday as genuinely cordial and praised Kushner’s unexpected participation. Ushakov asserted that Putin and Witkoff “had a genuinely friendly conversation, and they understand each other perfectly,” highlighting a foundation of mutual understanding.
On the Ukrainian side, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, clarified the diplomatic landscape, noting, “The United States wants a pragmatic process and a quick end to the war, expecting compromises from both sides.”
Meanwhile, Russian troops continue grinding forward across the front line against Kyiv’s outgunned and outnumbered Ukrainian forces. Moscow “massively attacked” the Kyiv region with drones and missiles early on Saturday, consequently wounding three people in the sudden strike.
