After a series of diplomatic meetings, Witkoff, a senior US envoy, reported that recent peace talks regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine were “productive and constructive.” The discussions took place over the weekend, beginning with a meeting between Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, a special envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Saturday. The following day, Witkoff, alongside Jared Kushner, met with officials from Ukraine and Europe, including the Ukrainian delegation led by senior official Rustem Umerov.
Witkoff characterized the focus of these talks as a “shared strategic approach” among Ukraine, the United States, and European nations. While he did not publicly elaborate on his discussions with Russian representatives, Dmitriev indicated that dialogue had progressed positively.
These meetings are part of ongoing negotiations concerning a US-drafted 20-point plan aimed at bringing an end to hostilities in Ukraine. Witkoff outlined four main areas of focus during the talks: the advancement of the 20-point plan, the establishment of a multilateral security guarantee framework, a specific US security guarantee framework for Ukraine, and strategies for economic recovery and prosperity in the region.
Amid these discussions, particular attention was given to the “timelines” and the “sequencing of next steps,” according to Witkoff. US, Ukrainian, and European officials had reported earlier in the week that progress had been made regarding security guarantees for Kyiv as part of efforts to halt the conflict. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether these proposals will be acceptable to Moscow.
“Peace must not only signify a cessation of hostilities, but also lay a dignified foundation for a stable future,” Witkoff emphasized during a social media update. Despite the diplomatic efforts, US intelligence assessments continue to suggest that Putin has not relinquished his ambitions regarding Ukrainian territory. This information comes from six sources familiar with the situation.
In response to media reports, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, stated that current assessments indicate that Russia “does not currently have the capability to conquer and occupy all of Ukraine, let alone Europe.” Furthermore, Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina and an ally of former President Donald Trump, expressed on NBC that it remains unclear if Putin will accept the proposed terms of the deal.
Graham proposed that if the current deal is rejected, the Trump administration should consider adopting a strategy similar to recent actions taken against oil tankers near Venezuela—specifically, seizing vessels carrying sanctioned Russian oil. He further suggested that a refusal by Russia to accept the proposals should lead to a designation of “Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism for kidnapping 20,000 Ukrainian children.”
The diplomatic efforts in Miami reflect a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict, as international stakeholders continue to seek a resolution to one of the most significant geopolitical crises in recent history.
