Will US and Russian Negotiators Reach a Peace Deal in Miami?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- US and Russian negotiators to meet in Miami.
- Aiming for a peace deal to end the Ukraine crisis.
- 90% consensus on a 20-point peace plan reached.
- Ukrainian President is open to NATO membership suspension.
- Key figures from both sides will be present at the talks.
Washington, Dec 18 (NationPress) Negotiators from the United States and Russia are set to engage in discussions in Miami, located in the state of Florida, this weekend, focusing on a peace agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing Ukraine crisis that has persisted for nearly four years, according to a report from the US media outlet Politico.
The timing of the meetings remains uncertain, and if they do convene, the Donald Trump administration will update the Russian delegation on the latest developments that arose from discussions among US, Ukrainian, and European officials in Berlin the previous weekend, as noted by sources familiar with the situation.
Representing the US will be Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of President Donald Trump, along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Russian side will likely include President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, according to the report.
Additionally, the Ukrainian National Security Advisor, Rustem Umerov, is anticipated to hold separate discussions with the US delegation either in Miami or another location in the United States over the weekend, as reported by the Xinhua news agency, referencing Politico.
Representatives from the US, Europe, and Ukraine have reportedly managed to align or significantly narrow their differences on 90 percent of a 20-point US draft peace plan during the Berlin discussions last weekend, as stated by officials from the Trump administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Ukraine might pause its NATO membership aspirations in exchange for Western security assurances to avert a renewed conflict with Russia, contingent upon reaching a peace agreement. Kiev seeks protection measures comparable to those enjoyed by NATO member states, assurances that the United States has not yet provided.
He expressed that Ukraine is prepared to negotiate security guarantees based on NATO Article 5 as part of a compromise within the peace talks, as reported by the Ukrinform news agency.