Ukraine Peace Talks Move to Miami as US Pushes for Settlement

WISE NEWS PRESS / MIAMI, UNITED STATES — DEC. 22, 2025

A new round of diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine has shifted to Florida, where US representatives are hosting high-level negotiations involving Ukrainian, European, and Russian envoys. The Miami talks, mediated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, represent the most significant attempt to secure a ceasefire since the conflict began nearly four years ago.

The negotiations, which began on Friday, include delegations from Kyiv alongside their European allies—Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. On Saturday, Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev arrived in Miami to join the process, signaling a potential shift toward a multilateral framework for a peaceful settlement.

Constructive Dialogue and Trilateral Disputes

Kirill Dmitriev, who also heads Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, described the discussions in Florida as "constructive." However, the path to a formal meeting remains fraught with disagreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested on Saturday that Washington had proposed a trilateral format—the first direct face-to-face contact between Moscow and Kyiv in six months.

Despite Zelenskyy's statement, the Kremlin officially denied that such a format was in preparation. Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy adviser to President Vladimir Putin, stated that "no one has seriously discussed this initiative" yet and noted that the Russian side is still reviewing a revised US peace proposal.

Putin Signals Openness to Macron

Parallel to the Florida talks, Moscow has indicated a potential diplomatic opening with Europe. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Sunday that President Vladimir Putin is "ready to engage in dialogue" with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Elysee Palace welcomed the signal, emphasizing that any potential discussions would be conducted "in full transparency" with President Zelenskyy and European partners. Macron had recently noted that restoring a full-fledged dialogue with Russia could be beneficial for European security, provided there is mutual political will to achieve a "solid and lasting peace."

Obstacles on the Ground

While diplomacy intensifies in Miami, the situation on the battlefield remains critical. President Zelenskyy noted that progress in Florida depends heavily on whether Russia "feels the need to end the war for real," highlighting continued strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure. Simultaneously, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed further territorial gains in the Sumy and Donetsk regions, underscoring the gap between the diplomatic efforts and the reality of the front line.

Negotiations in Miami are expected to continue through the week, focusing on a revised 20-point peace plan that addresses security guarantees, territorial disputes, and reconstruction funding for Ukraine.

www.wisenewspress.com