Talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials are underway in Miami, weeks ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Washington and Kyiv explore the outlines of a possible peace framework.
Ukraine’s delegation includes intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, a close adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and parliamentary negotiator Davyd Arakhamia. They are scheduled to meet Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, along with Jared Kushner and Daniel Driscoll, the U.S. Secretary of the Army.
“We are preparing for important and substantive discussions with our American partners on the details of a possible peace agreement,” Budanov wrote on social media. Ukrainian officials said the talks are expected to focus on security guarantees for Ukraine as well as financing for post-war reconstruction.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to end what he has described as Europe’s most serious armed conflict since World War II as quickly as possible, but has criticised both Moscow and Kyiv for failing to make progress toward a settlement. Ukrainian leaders, however, have said some proposals floated by Washington would be viewed in Kyiv as amounting to surrender.
Zelensky said on Friday that he hoped Ukraine could sign concrete agreements with the United States as early as next week, laying the groundwork for the country’s long-term security and economic recovery.
