U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff described weekend peace talks in Florida as “productive and constructive,” posting on X, as Ukraine and Russia reported progress in separate negotiations. However, the Kremlin denied reports of three-way talks with the U.S. and Ukraine, Russian state media reported, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said diplomatic efforts were “moving forward quickly.”
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
MIAMI/KYIV/MOSCOW — Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine peace negotiations, declared this weekend’s talks in Florida “productive and constructive,” writing on X that Ukraine, the U.S., and European partners were aligning on a “shared strategic approach“ to end the nearly four-year war with Russia. The meetings, which included Ukrainian, American, and European delegations, focused on security guarantees, economic recovery, and a “dignified foundation for peace.”
“Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine’s recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity,” Witkoff wrote. “Peace must be not only a cessation of hostilities but also a dignified foundation for a stable future.”
Ukraine and Russia Report Progress
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram Sunday that diplomatic efforts were “moving forward quite quickly,” with Ukraine’s team in Florida working closely with U.S. officials on next steps. The Ukrainian delegation, led by National Security Secretary Rustem Umerov and Armed Forces Chief Lt. Gen. Andriy Hnatov, discussed a 20-point peace plan, security guarantees, and economic prosperity frameworks with U.S. and European counterparts, including Jared Kushner and White House aide Josh Gruenbaum.
Meanwhile, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev told reporters in Miami that talks with the U.S. were proceeding “constructively,” RIA Novosti reported. “The discussions are proceeding constructively. They began earlier and will continue today, and will also continue tomorrow,” Dmitriev said, though no updates on Russia-U.S. negotiations were provided Sunday.
Kremlin Rejects Three-Way Talks
Despite Zelenskyy’s Saturday remarks that Washington had proposed trilateral talks between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, the Kremlin swiftly denied such negotiations were underway. Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser, told Russian state media that “no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge, it is not being prepared.”
The denial underscores the deep divisions between Moscow and Kyiv, even as Putin has signaled openness to dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron—a move welcomed by Paris as a potential step toward ceasefire talks.
“As soon as the prospect of a ceasefire and peace negotiations becomes clearer, it becomes useful again to speak with Putin,” Macron’s office said Sunday, calling the Kremlin’s willingness to engage “a welcome development.”
Human Rights Violations and EU Support
Amid the diplomatic maneuvering, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, reported on Telegram that Russian forces forcibly removed about 50 Ukrainian civilians from the Sumy border region to Russian territory—an alleged war crime that Kyiv has condemned. Lubinets said he contacted Russia’s human rights commissioner to demand the civilians’ return.
The European Union, meanwhile, approved a €90 billion ($106 billion) aid package for Ukraine on Friday, though Belgium blocked a proposal to use frozen Russian assets to fund it. Instead, the EU will borrow from capital markets to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs for the next two years.
What’s Next?
As negotiations continue, the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe are pushing for a sustainable peace, while Russia’s maximalist demands—including territorial concessions—remain a major obstacle. The Florida talks mark a critical moment in the diplomatic push, but deep mistrust between Moscow and Kyiv persists.
“The path to peace is narrow, but the alternative is unthinkable,” a Western diplomat said. “The question is whether Putin is serious about negotiations—or just buying time.”
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