US and Ukrainian envoys say 'productive and constructive' talks have taken place in Miami, but there still appears to be no major breakthrough in efforts to end Ukraine's war with Russia.
Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, issued a joint statement with the top Ukrainian negotiator, Rustem Umerov, after three days of meetings with European allies.
The pair stated that the meeting concentrated on aligning positions on a 20-point plan, a multilateral security guarantee framework, a US Security guarantee framework for Ukraine, and an economic and prosperity plan.
Separate discussions are ongoing in Miami between the US and Russian envoy, Kirill Dmitriev.
'Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine's recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity,' Witkoff and Umerov noted in their statement.
The Miami meetings follow a series of diplomatic movements, triggered by the leaking of a controversial 28-point US peace plan that alarmed Ukraine and its allies due to its perceived bias towards Russia.
Witkoff remarked that representatives from Russia had also met with US officials in southern Florida, including Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law.
He mentioned that the talks with Russian envoy Dmitriev were also considered 'productive and constructive', asserting that 'Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine'.
While Trump has been advocating for an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to end the conflict, significant disagreements persist, particularly over Russia’s demands to retain territory it has occupied.
US intelligence reports suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin still aims to control all of Ukraine and reclaim parts of Europe that were part of the former Soviet empire, according to six sources familiar with US intelligence.
This development follows Putin's remarks suggesting there would be no further wars after Ukraine, emphasizing that respect for Russia's interests is crucial.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack reportedly caused damage to two vessels and two piers in Russia's Krasnodar region on Monday, igniting a significant fire, although all crew members were said to have been evacuated safely. Some reports indicate that oil infrastructure was targeted.
