Miami Talks Enter Third Day — US and Ukraine Say "Real Progress" Hinges on Russia

US and Ukraine Meet for Third Day in Miami; Officials Say Progress Depends on Russia

Ukrainian and US officials convened for a third consecutive day of talks in Miami on Saturday as negotiators sought to advance a US-backed proposal to end the war in Ukraine. Washington and Kyiv said both sides agreed that any "real progress" would depend on Russia’s willingness to take concrete steps toward de-escalation and a halt to civilian casualties.

President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner met Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov and Andrii Hnatov, chief of staff of Kyiv’s armed forces. The Miami sessions followed a meeting in Moscow where Witkoff and Kushner presented the US plan to President Vladimir Putin; Kremlin officials rejected parts of the proposal.

"Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings," Witkoff wrote on X.

US and Ukrainian representatives said they "agreed on the framework of security arrangements" and discussed deterrence capabilities intended to sustain a lasting peace. Under Washington’s plan, Kyiv would cede territory that Russia has not captured on the battlefield in exchange for security guarantees that do not include NATO membership. The exact nature of those guarantees remains unclear, though an early draft suggested jets to defend Kyiv could be based in Poland.

The proposal has been revised through several drafts since it first emerged late last month, after critics said it was too conciliatory toward Russia. Witkoff and Kushner left Moscow without an agreement, though Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the five-hour meeting as cordial and praised Kushner’s participation.

On the Ukrainian side, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said much of the diplomatic work "takes place mostly behind the scenes," adding that Ukraine remains willing to negotiate while expecting compromises from all parties. President Trump called the envoys' Moscow meeting "reasonably good" and said they came away with the impression Putin might be open to ending the war, even as the US has recently imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies.

Fighting on the ground: Russian forces continue offensive operations along the front. Regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk reported massive drone and missile attacks on the Kyiv region early Saturday that wounded three people. Russia’s defence ministry said it intercepted and destroyed 116 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Outlook: Diplomats said further Miami talks will focus on the specifics of security guarantees, verification measures and concrete de-escalation steps—all of which ultimately depend on Moscow’s response.