WASHINGTON, D.C./MIAMI, FL – U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to hold high-stakes discussions with Ukraine’s national security chief, Rustem Umerov, in Miami on Thursday, following an extensive diplomatic engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week in Moscow. This bilateral meeting aims to consolidate the diplomatic groundwork laid during the Kremlin talks and seek viable pathways to de-escalate the conflict, even as Russia presses new demands and battlefield gains continue to reshape negotiating realities.
The week’s intense diplomatic flurry began when Witkoff, accompanied by Jared Kushner, spent nearly five hours at the Kremlin on Tuesday. Although the Russian government later indicated the talks yielded no immediate compromise on ending the hostilities, former President Donald Trump characterized the exchange as “reasonably good” but acknowledged that genuine progress remains uncertain, stressing that mutual agreement is essential.
Deep Divisions Over Peace and NATO
Following the Moscow summit, President Putin reiterated Russia’s entrenched conditions for peace, specifically demanding the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbas region. Ahead of an upcoming trip to India, the Russian leader stated that resolution would involve either Russian forces seizing the territory or Ukrainian troops voluntarily departing and ceasing combat operations.
A central point of contention in the talks was Ukraine’s potential NATO membership. Russia remains implacably opposed to the expansion of the alliance, a sentiment echoed by Trump, who has indicated he would not support Kyiv joining the organization. Conversely, Ukraine and several key European partners steadfastly maintain that NATO accession represents the most effective long-term deterrent against future Russian aggression.
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, reported that while some key U.S. proposals were “tentatively acceptable,” others faced open criticism. Ushakov also suggested that Russia’s recent incremental battlefield successes have strengthened its negotiating position, influencing international assessments of potential peace terms. This assertion came as Putin was filmed reportedly receiving a briefing on the claimed capture of Pokrovsk, despite ongoing fighting and incomplete Russian control over the area.
Ukraine Urges Coercive Leverage
Amidst the diplomatic maneuvering, Ukrainian leadership stressed the need for sustained international pressure on Moscow. President Volodymyr Zelensky maintained that while a genuine opportunity for peace exists, any successful negotiation must be backed by significant “coercive leverage.” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Putin of stalling, while Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna, confirmed that while progress has been slow, the talks are ongoing, reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace.
Recent weeks have seen notable, if incremental, territorial gains by Russian forces in the east. Analysis from the Institute for the Study of War data compiled by AFP indicates that Russian forces captured approximately 701 square kilometers (270 square miles) of Ukrainian territory in November, raising the total area under Russian control to roughly 19.3% of the country.
European Response and Financial Support
Further complicating the environment, Putin stated he is willing to continue meeting with U.S. representatives as often as necessary, even as relations with European nations deteriorate. He accused European governments of actively sabotaging U.S.-Russia dialogue and imposing unacceptable demands, telling a Moscow forum that while he does not seek conflict with Europe, he is “ready for war.”
European capitals uniformly dismissed this rhetoric as further Kremlin bluster. NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels welcomed the diplomatic talks but stressed the imperative of strengthening Ukraine’s position to continue its defense. Concurrently, the European Union secured a political agreement with the European Parliament to halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027.
Crucially, the European Commission is proposing raising €90 billion to cover approximately two-thirds of Ukraine’s financing needs over the next two years, supporting both defense efforts and essential public services. Financing discussions are exploring options, including a “reparations loan” secured against frozen Russian assets, although Belgium and the European Central Bank have expressed legal and financial reservations about utilizing assets held within their jurisdictions.