In recent days, there have been numerous rumours about possible peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, with high-level talks in Miami taking centre stage. Representatives from the US, Ukraine and the EU attended these meetings. One of the key issues was an agreement between Russia and the US on the supply of diesel fuel. However, as Dmitry Peskov, the Russian President’s press secretary, assures us, this agreement is not directly linked to the ceasefires.
According to Reuters, the talks in Miami were accompanied by suggestions that this agreement could serve as an incentive for Russia to return to the negotiating table. US Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expressed the view that certain steps on the part of Ukraine, such as refraining from attacks on Russian oil refineries, could change Moscow’s position.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ukrainian negotiators but has not yet disclosed the details of the discussions. Meanwhile, Witkoff spoke of opportunities for achieving peace and guarantees for Ukraine.
According to *The Washington Post*, the US, together with the EU, is drawing up a peace proposal for Russia. This package is expected to place particular emphasis on Ukraine’s security and reconstruction. The proposals include a ceasefire and shared profits from energy resources, which sounds rather ambitious. However, the key issue remains the preservation of Russian control over the currently occupied Ukrainian territories, which could prove to be a stumbling block.
Dmytro Litvin, the Ukrainian President’s adviser on communications, has expressed doubts about these initiatives, noting that they reflect the views of a section of the US team rather than a general international consensus.
As expected, Russia rejects many of the proposed initiatives. The main problem remains Vladimir Putin’s ambition to control the Donbas, which so far remains unattainable. The Institute for the Study of War in the US notes that Russia shows no willingness to compromise and continues to shift the blame onto Ukraine for the lack of progress in the negotiations, despite numerous proposals from the US and Ukraine.
Consequently, a peaceful resolution to the conflict remains elusive, whilst the parties continue to seek common ground that could lead to a long-awaited ceasefire.