Efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to the nearly three-year-old Russia-Ukraine war are continuing with planned talks this weekend in miami between U.S. and Russian officials.The negotiations follow recent discussions in Berlin involving Ukrainian and American delegations,and come amid differing assessments of progress toward a potential peace agreement. While former President Trump has indicated a deal might potentially be within reach, Ukrainian officials maintain critically important reservations regarding Russian territorial claims.
Negotiations between U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to take place this weekend in Miami, Florida, to discuss potential pathways toward peace in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The talks come as international efforts to de-escalate the war continue, with both sides signaling a willingness to explore diplomatic solutions. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund and a key Russian negotiator for Ukraine, will be part of the Russian delegation. The U.S. side is expected to be led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.
The meeting follows two days of discussions in Berlin on Monday between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations regarding potential peace options. Following those talks, Trump stated that an agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war had “never been closer.” Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, ordering troops across the border under the command of President Vladimir Putin.
Witkoff and Kushner both participated in the Berlin discussions. An unnamed U.S. official indicated after the Berlin meetings that a peace plan was approximately 90 percent complete and that positions between the U.S. and Ukraine had significantly converged. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was also in Berlin, described the current proposal as a working draft, reiterating that Kyiv would not recognize Russia’s claim over the Donbas region.
European allies of Ukraine stated Monday, after the Berlin talks, that the U.S. and European nations intend to provide Kyiv with robust security guarantees and further support for the country’s economic recovery.
Moscow responded to the European participation in the peace discussions by suggesting that their involvement was unlikely to yield results acceptable to Russia. The Kremlin has consistently accused European countries of undermining Trump’s efforts to achieve peace. European representatives have emphasized that any future arrangement must be approved by Kyiv, the nation defending itself against the invasion.
Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Russia is preparing for another year of warfare in 2026. He urged his allies in the European Union to provide support at Thursday’s summit, signaling to Moscow that its efforts are futile. Putin, meanwhile, asserted that Russia would undoubtedly achieve its objectives in Ukraine, and if peace talks fail, is prepared to seize claimed territories through military means.
