By: The Trek News Desk
Just two days after a marathon round of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is now headed to Miami, where he will meet Ukrainian National Security Council chief Rustem Umerov on Thursday.
The White House officially confirmed the meeting late Wednesday.
Moscow Meeting Ends Without Breakthrough, but Trump Says “Progress Made”
Witkoff’s visit to Moscow included senior adviser and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, signalling the seriousness of the U.S. push to restart negotiations.
The Kremlin declared that the talks produced “no compromise”, but U.S. President Donald Trump offered a more optimistic assessment, calling the discussions “pretty good,” while warning that “both sides have to want peace for peace to work.”
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha sharply criticised Russia afterwards, saying Putin was “wasting the world’s time” and urging Moscow to “stop the bloodshed.”
When asked whether Witkoff and Kushner believed Putin genuinely wanted the war to end, Trump replied, “Their impression was that he does want to end the war.”
Zelensky: “The World Feels a Real Chance to End This War”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had already hinted that U.S.–Ukrainian negotiations were imminent. In a post on X, he said that the moment presented a “real opportunity” to move towards peace, but warned that any diplomatic track must be paired with sustained pressure on Russia.
Ukraine-Russia Disagreements Persist: Territory and Security Guarantees at Core of Dispute
Kremlin adviser Yury Ushakov said some U.S. peace concepts were “broadly acceptable,” while others were outright rejected by Putin.
Two issues remain unresolved:
- The future of the Ukrainian territory currently under Russian occupation
- Security guarantees for Ukraine, including the long-standing question of NATO membership
Kyiv and several European capitals argue that Ukraine’s long-term security depends on joining NATO.
Russia remains firmly opposed, and Trump has repeatedly signalled he is not prepared to back Ukraine’s membership bid.
Russia Claims Battlefield Gains Have Strengthened Its Hand
Ushakov insisted that Russia’s recent military advances have “reinforced” its negotiating position.
A video released Tuesday showed Putin in military fatigues at a command post being briefed about battlefield successes, including advances near the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk.
Fighting in the area is still ongoing, and Russia does not control the entire city, but Moscow believes its battlefield narrative is resonating with American negotiators.
Data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicates Russia seized around 701 sq km of Ukrainian territory in November 2025 and now controls 19.3% of the country.
U.S.-Russia Dialogue Warms, but Europe-Russia Rift Widens
The Kremlin said Putin is prepared to meet American representatives “as many times as necessary.”
But relations with Europe continue to deteriorate, with Putin accusing EU nations of blocking the peace process.
The UK dismissed Putin’s comments as “yet another round of Kremlin propaganda.”
NATO and the EU Respond
At a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said it was promising to see peace talks underway, but stressed that Ukraine must be kept in a strong position militarily.
Meanwhile, the European Union announced a landmark decision to end its reliance on Russian gas by late 2027. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it “the beginning of a new era.”
Source: News Agencies
