This weekend in Miami, U.S. and Ukrainian delegations wrapped up three days of intensive talks focused on territorial disputes in Donbas and U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine. The discussions, running from Thursday through Saturday, brought both sides face to face on some of the most contentious issues stalling a peace settlement.
Sources told Axios the territorial debate was particularly challenging, as Russia's demands for Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of Donbas clashed with Kiev's insistence on preserving its current front lines. Meanwhile, U.S. negotiators introduced fresh ideas aimed at bridging the gap and paving a path toward compromise.
Progress was more pronounced on security guarantees. Delegates made "significant progress" refining a draft framework that would see the U.S. commit to Ukraine's defense needs. Yet officials cautioned that further work is required to ensure both sides share a consistent interpretation of the agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy capped the talks with a two-hour call alongside U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Ukraine's negotiators—National Security Secretary Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff Andriy Hnatov.
Describing the call on X as "long and substantive," Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's commitment to working in good faith with the U.S. to "genuinely achieve peace" and confirmed that both sides have agreed on next steps and formats for continued dialogue.
Ukraine's peace team is expected to return to Europe on Monday for a London briefing, where they will present the latest U.S. proposals to President Zelenskyy and other senior officials.
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U.S., Ukraine wrap up talks on territorial issues, security guarantees
cgtn.com
