US–Ukraine Hold Third Day Of Miami Talks As Starmer Prepares To Host Zelenskyy Amid Intensifying Push For War-End Framework
US and Ukrainian officials continue their talks in Miami as European leaders prepare for high-level discussions in London, reflecting a pivotal moment in the wider diplomatic push over the war. Image courtesy: X.com\@Zlatti_71
The United States and Ukraine entered a third consecutive day of negotiations in Miami on December 6, 2025, even as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepared to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London to advance broader diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nearly three-year war with Russia.
The dual-track diplomacy underscores a critical phase in Western attempts to secure a durable security framework for Ukraine while navigating deep divisions with Moscow.
What was the focus of the Miami talks?
The Miami talks, led by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, have focused on a contentious American proposal that would require Ukraine to cede certain territories in exchange for security guarantees.
Ukrainian representatives, including senior negotiator Rustem Umerov and Armed Forces chief of stFFaff Andrii Hnatov, have insisted that any arrangement must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevent future Russian aggression.
Was there progress in the US-Ukraine talks?
A readout shared by Witkoff on December 5 emphasised that both sides agreed “real progress” hinged on Russia demonstrating commitment to de-escalation and “long-term peace,” echoing Kyiv’s long-standing demand that Moscow halt its military strikes.
Washington and Kyiv also discussed a “framework of security arrangements” including deterrence capabilities, though the specifics of these guarantees remain opaque and reportedly fall short of Ukraine’s NATO ambitions.
How did the US peace plan go through several iterations?
The diplomatic push gained urgency after Witkoff and Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on December 2. Although Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the five-hour session as “genuinely friendly,” Putin rejected key parts of the US proposal.
The American plan has gone through several iterations since leaking in late November, with critics warning it is overly conciliatory to Moscow despite Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
What were Trump’s remarks on Putin’s views on peace?
Trump, who has oscillated between praising Putin and pressuring Kyiv since returning to office in January, said the envoys had a “reasonably good meeting” and sensed Putin “would like to end the war.”
However, recent US sanctions on Russian oil entities reflect Washington’s frustration at the Kremlin’s reluctance to engage substantively with the plan.
Putin, who was in India this week for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledged the process was “complex” but signalled he preferred engagement over obstruction.
What is the agenda of the Starmer-Zelenskyy talks?
In London, Starmer will host Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Downing Street on Monday (December 8).
Their meeting follows a virtual gathering two weeks earlier of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” a grouping spearheaded by Starmer and Macron to assemble a potential European peacekeeping force for post-ceasefire deployment in Ukraine.
What is the backdrop of European talks on Ukraine?
The European discussions also come amid a fresh wave of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said Russia fired hundreds of drones and around 50 missiles on Friday (December 5) night, targeting the country’s energy infrastructure in what Kyiv officials described as an attempt to “weaponise winter” by depriving civilians of heat and electricity.
Why are the US, Ukrainian officials cautious on the peace plan?
Even as diplomatic activity accelerates, both Ukrainian and US negotiators caution that lasting progress is unlikely without demonstrable shifts from Moscow.
Ukraine continues to insist that the terms of any settlement must reflect its territorial integrity and security needs, points that have been among the biggest obstacles in talks with the Kremlin.
What was White House’s commitment on Ukraine?
The White House’s newly released national security strategy reaffirms Washington’s commitment to ensuring Ukraine’s “survival as a viable state,” while also positioning an end to the war as central to re-establishing “strategic stability with Russia.”
As negotiations advance on multiple fronts, the road to peace remains fraught. But, for the first time in months, coordinated diplomatic pressure from Washington and European capitals is showing renewed momentum.
