The Kremlin denied reports of planned three-way talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S., reported by Russian news agencies, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about the U.S.-proposed format but called for increased pressure on Russia to end the war.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
MOSCOW/KYIV — The Kremlin dismissed claims Sunday that three-way talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States were being planned, according to Russian news agencies, even as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged Washington’s proposal for such negotiations but doubted their effectiveness.
The denial came after Zelenskyy revealed Saturday that the U.S. had suggested a trilateral format, which would mark the first face-to-face negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in six months. However, the Ukrainian leader remained cautious, telling journalists he was “not sure that anything new could come of it” and urging the U.S. to increase pressure on Russia to end the war.
A Shift in Tone
By Sunday, Zelenskyy struck a more optimistic note, describing ongoing talks between U.S., European, and Ukrainian negotiators as “constructive” and “moving at a fairly rapid pace.” Yet, he warned that progress depended on whether Russia genuinely seeks an end to the conflict.
“Unfortunately, the real signals coming from Russia remain only negative: assaults along the frontline, Russian war crimes in border areas, and continued strikes against our infrastructure,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
Russian Envoy Arrives in Miami
Meanwhile, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev arrived in Miami Saturday, where Ukrainian and European delegations had already gathered for negotiations mediated by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Yuri Ushakov, President Putin’s foreign policy adviser, told reporters that Dmitriev would return to Moscow to report before further steps were decided. He also claimed not to have seen the revised U.S. proposal to end the war, which had sparked controversy when first unveiled last month for allegedly conceding to key Kremlin demands.
A Controversial U.S. Plan
The original 28-point U.S. plan, widely criticized for favoring Moscow, was redrafted after Kyiv and European allies raised objections. While details of the updated version remain unclear, it is believed to require Ukraine to cede some territory in exchange for U.S. security guarantees—a prospect deeply unpopular among many Ukrainians.
Battlefield Realities
The diplomatic maneuvering comes as Russian forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine, with President Putin boasting of territorial gains Friday and threatening further offensives.
Zelenskyy, however, reported on X that Russia had launched approximately 1,300 attack drones, 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and 9 missiles against Ukraine in the past week, with the Odesa region and southern Ukraine bearing the brunt of the assaults.
A Fragile Path Forward
The last direct Ukraine-Russia talks occurred in July in Istanbul, yielding prisoner swaps but little progress toward ending the war. The Miami negotiations, while including European participation, face deep skepticism due to the bitter divide after nearly four years of conflict.
Adding another layer, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested Putin’s openness to dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron, who had previously engaged with the Russian leader in early 2022. Macron’s office welcomed the overture but insisted any discussions with Moscow must be conducted “in full transparency“ with Zelenskyy and European allies.
What’s Next?
As diplomacy stumbles forward, the war rages on. With Russia showing no signs of retreat and Ukraine demanding stronger Western support, the prospects for peace remain uncertain.
Original article
Comments