The third day of Ukraine settlement talks opened in Miami as Kyiv's negotiator met US and Western officials while the Kremlin's envoy collected amendments to a revised 28-point plan. The US-drafted proposal was reworked after input from Kyiv and European partners; details remain unpublished. President Zelensky called the discussions "constructive" but warned progress hinges on whether Russia truly seeks an end to the war, even as strikes hit Odesa and reports emerge of forced removals in Sumy.
Third Day Of Ukraine Settlement Talks Begins In Miami As Violence Rages On
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was sceptical that three-way talks would result in progress (Tetiana DZHAFAROVA)(Tetiana DZHAFAROVA/AFP/AFP)
Diplomatic talks over a potential settlement to the war in Ukraine entered a third day in Miami on Sunday, as Kyiv's lead negotiator met with US and Western envoys while the Kremlin's representative gathered proposed amendments to a revised 28-point proposal.
What Is Happening In Miami
Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, arrived in Miami to continue talks with US officials after Washington's original 28-point plan was revised following input from Kyiv and European partners. The Kremlin sent Kirill Dmitriev, who, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, was in Miami to "receive information about what has been developed by the Americans and Europeans" and report back to Moscow.
Russian state media released footage of Dmitriev arriving in a motorcade at Shell Bay golf club, a property linked to US envoy Steve Witkoff. Dmitriev — a former Goldman Sachs banker — did not bring a new public message from President Vladimir Putin, according to Peskov.
Format And Participants
The Russian and Ukrainian delegations were scheduled for separate meetings with US envoys, including Witkoff and Jared Kushner, after Moscow ruled out three-way negotiations. European envoys were also reported to be in Miami, contributing to the revision of the US-originated proposal.
Terms And Stakes
Details of the latest draft have not been made public. Analysts and officials say the revised plan may ask Kyiv to cede some territory in exchange for security guarantees — a prospect that is deeply unpopular among many Ukrainians — though Ukrainian leaders insist any agreement must preserve sovereignty and security.
Volodymyr Zelensky described the discussions as "constructive" and "moving at a fairly rapid pace," while warning that "much depends on whether Russia feels the need to end the war for real."
Frontline Violence Continues
Despite talks, fighting and strikes continued across Ukraine. President Zelensky said that over the past week, Russia launched roughly 1,300 attack drones, nearly 1,200 guided aerial bombs and nine missiles of various types. The Black Sea region around Odesa has been heavily hit, with strikes damaging ports, bridges and energy infrastructure and killing civilians. In the Sumy region, Ukrainian officials reported forcible removals from a border village, alleging that around 50 residents were taken; Russia did not formally comment.
Wider Diplomatic Context
Kremlin spokesman Peskov also said President Putin had expressed willingness to speak with French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron's office welcomed the offer but said any talks would need to be conducted in full transparency with Ukraine and European partners. Relations between Moscow and leading European capitals remain strained amid mutual distrust and concerns about expansionist moves.
As Miami talks continue, diplomats say progress will depend on whether Moscow is prepared to make substantive concessions and on close coordination among the United States, European allies and Kyiv. For now, intense fighting on multiple fronts keeps the human and strategic costs high.
