Peace negotiations between the United States and Russia over the war in Ukraine entered another day in Miami on Sunday, with Moscow describing the discussions as “constructive” even as major disagreements remain over territory, security guarantees, and the future political landscape of Ukraine.
Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who is representing the Kremlin in the Florida-based talks, told reporters that the sessions were progressing positively and would continue through the weekend. “The discussions are proceeding constructively. They began earlier and will continue today, and will also continue tomorrow,” Dmitriev said, according to Russian state media reports.
The meetings, held under tight security in Miami, are part of a broader diplomatic push by the Trump administration to broker an end to the nearly four-year conflict. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner are leading the American delegation, continuing a series of engagements that included talks with Ukrainian and European officials in Berlin earlier in the week.
Ukraine Urges Stronger Pressure on Moscow
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his government’s negotiators had been in separate discussions with US and European partners in the United States and that talks were “moving forward quite quickly.” He added, however, that diplomacy must be paired with firmer pressure on Russia to halt its offensive operations.
“Putin does not yet feel the kind of pressure that should exist,” Zelenskyy said, urging Washington to make clear that failure in diplomacy would be met with intensified consequences for Moscow.
Ukraine remains wary of elements of the US-drafted peace proposal, particularly any requirement to cede territory or accept limits on its future military capabilities—issues that have become central sticking points in the negotiations.
Russia Signals Hardline Stance Despite Talks
While calling the Miami discussions constructive, Russian officials have shown little sign of softening their demands. President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia would achieve its military objectives if Kyiv refused to accept Moscow’s conditions, signaling continued confidence in Russia’s battlefield position despite heavy losses.
Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov expressed skepticism that revisions proposed by Ukraine and European governments would improve the prospects for a durable peace agreement. “The proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” Ushakov said Sunday, according to Reuters reporting cited in multiple outlets.
US Seeks Overlap Amid Deep Divisions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he may join the Miami talks and acknowledged that while progress has been made, significant gaps remain. “The role we’re trying to play is figuring out whether there’s any overlap here that they can agree to,” Rubio said. “That may not be possible. I hope it is. I hope it can get done this month, before the end of the year”.
American officials have reportedly offered new security guarantees to Ukraine in the latest draft proposal, though details have not been made public. The initial version of the plan was criticized for appearing too favorable to Moscow’s interests, prompting revisions by Kyiv and European partners.
European Leaders Weigh Their Own Diplomatic Path
As Washington leads the current round of negotiations, European governments are assessing how to re-engage diplomatically. French President Emmanuel Macron has signaled that Europe may need to step in directly if US-led talks fail to produce a viable agreement. The Élysée Palace said Sunday that France is considering the “optimal format” for renewed dialogue with Russia, following signals from the Kremlin that Putin is open to speaking with Macron if there is “mutual political will”.
A Conflict Still Raging
Despite the diplomatic activity, the war continues unabated. Ukraine reported more than 2,500 Russian strikes in the past week and claimed to have hit a Russian warship and energy infrastructure in the Caspian Sea as part of its ongoing maritime campaign.
Russian forces also reportedly crossed into Ukraine’s Sumy region over the weekend and detained dozens of civilians, according to Ukrainian media reports that have not yet been independently verified.
Talks to Continue
The Miami negotiations are expected to resume Monday, with all sides acknowledging that a breakthrough remains uncertain. Still, the fact that US and Russian envoys are meeting directly—and that both sides describe the talks as ongoing—marks one of the most sustained diplomatic engagements since the early months of the war.
Whether the discussions can overcome entrenched positions on territory, security guarantees, and political sovereignty remains the central question as the conflict approaches its fourth year.