Peace Talks Stall as Ukraine & US Link Progress to Russian Commitment
MIAMI,FL – Negotiations between Ukrainian and North American officials continued for a third day in Miami,Florida,with both the United States and Ukraine stating that substantial progress hinges on Russia’s willingness to engage seriously in peace efforts.
A joint statement released today emphasized, “Both parties agreed that real progress towards any agreement depends on Russia’s willingness to demonstrate a serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps to de-escalate and end the killings.”
The talks are focused not only on immediate ceasefire measures but also on Ukraine’s future reconstruction. Officials stated they “separately reviewed the future prosperity agenda, which aims to support ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, joint US-Ukraine economic initiatives and long-term recovery projects.”
Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are leading the US delegation, meeting with Rustem Umerov, the chief Ukrainian negotiator, and Andrii Hnatov, chief of staff of the Armed Forces in Kiev.Discussions have included a framework for security agreements and the deterrence capabilities needed for a lasting peace.
These meetings follow a Tuesday session in the Kremlin where Witkoff and Kushner presented a US plan to end the conflict. However, Russian President vladimir Putin reportedly rejected portions of the proposal and warned Russia was “ready” for war should Europe initiate hostilities.
Ukrainian military officials have firmly rejected any peace deal involving territorial concessions. in an interview with SkyNews, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General oleksandr Syrskyi stated, ”For us, it is simply unacceptable to give up territory. This is precisely what we are fighting for.”
General Syrskyi affirmed Ukraine’s continued military capacity, stating, “ukraine has resources to continue carrying out military operations” and reiterated a commitment to defending Ukrainian territory. He added, “All wars eventually end…When the conflict started by Russia ends it will be necessary to implement a just peace.”
He defined a “just peace” as one “without preconditions, without giving up territory” and focused on achieving a complete cessation of hostilities.
Previous diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, which has lasted almost four years, have failed to yield results, and fighting continues.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a daily address that the Ukrainian delegation in florida seeks a full understanding of the United States’ account of the Kremlin negotiations.
Trump’s initial 28-point peace plan has been publicly released, though details of the current negotiations remain confidential.
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