Ukrainian negotiators head to Miami as peace discussions enter new phase

Thursday 18 December 2025 - 11:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Ukrainian negotiators head to Miami as peace discussions enter new phase

Ukrainian envoys are traveling to the United States for high-level negotiations aimed at advancing a possible peace agreement to end the ongoing war. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that talks are scheduled for the weekend in Miami, building on recent diplomatic progress achieved in Berlin.

Building on Berlin momentum

Last week, Ukrainian, U.S., and European officials met in Berlin, where they reportedly resolved or made headway on 90 percent of a 20-point U.S.-drafted peace proposal. The plan, developed under the Trump administration, outlines potential pathways toward a durable ceasefire and long-term security arrangements. The Miami meetings will serve to update Russian representatives on these developments, with expectations of parallel discussions between American and Russian envoys.

The U.S. delegation, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, seeks to consolidate gains from Berlin. Meanwhile, Russia is expected to send Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a close associate of President Vladimir Putin. Washington has confirmed the talks without disclosing the full composition of the delegations.

Key issues and security guarantees

According to diplomatic sources, Ukraine has indicated a willingness to forgo its long-standing NATO membership ambitions in exchange for legally binding Western security guarantees equivalent to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense principle. U.S. officials described the proposed arrangement as “Article 5-like,” signaling firm yet independent assurances of Ukraine’s defense.

Despite this progress, territorial disputes continue to challenge the negotiations. Moscow insists that Ukraine relinquish control over the entire Donbas region, including areas still under Kyiv’s authority. Zelenskiy has categorically rejected these demands, maintaining that no land will be surrendered without the explicit consent of the Ukrainian population.

Territorial concerns remain unresolved

Reports suggest that Washington has floated the idea of establishing a free economic zone within parts of Donbas, where Ukrainian forces would pull back but Russian forces would not advance. Ukrainian officials, however, stress that this proposal remains under review and does not signal territorial concessions.

“Russia demands that we surrender territory. We are unwilling to concede anything,” Zelenskiy declared earlier this week. He added that any adjustments to national borders must be decided through democratic means, emphasizing that “only the Ukrainian people” have the authority to determine the country’s territorial integrity.

The Miami talks mark a decisive moment in a complex peace process that continues to balance diplomatic calculations with battlefield realities.