US and Ukrainian delegations to meet in Miami on new peace proposals
US and Ukrainian officials meet in Miami on Friday to discuss new proposals to end the war, including a possible partial ceasefire on energy and grain targets.
Officials from the United States and Ukraine gather in Miami on Friday for two days of talks on fresh proposals to end Russia's war against Ukraine, according to Axios, which cited US and Ukrainian sources. Separately, US presidential envoys could travel on to Moscow later this month for another round of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Among the ideas under discussion is a partial ceasefire that would halt attacks on energy infrastructure and grain shipments, the officials said. Kyiv has indicated it would accept such a pause, but Moscow has so far shown little appetite for it.
Ukraine's delegation will be led by President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, alongside former defence minister Rustem Umerov, parliamentary faction leader Davyd Arakhamia, first deputy foreign minister Serhiy Kyslytsia and intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko. Washington has asked national security advisers from Britain, France and Germany, plus representatives of NATO and the European Union, to join the discussions.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner briefed Donald Trump on the latest American plan on Thursday, ahead of travelling to Florida, a US official told Axios. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and deputy national security adviser Mike Needham were also at that briefing.
Zelensky confirmed on Thursday that Kyiv and Washington were discussing a possible halt to strikes on energy sites and grain exports, though he would not be drawn on the details. "I do not want to say something and then have Russia, as always, do the opposite out of spite," he said.
Speaking in Lisbon on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the war as having reached a "stalemate" and said Washington was working to stop further escalation. A person familiar with the planning told Axios that Witkoff and Kushner, who last visited both Moscow and Kyiv in early September, may return to the Russian capital later in October.
What we know
- US and Ukrainian delegations meet in Miami on Friday and Saturday to discuss new proposals to end the war, Axios reported.
- A possible partial ceasefire covering energy infrastructure and grain shipments is among the ideas; Ukraine has said it is ready to accept one, but Russia has shown little interest.
- The Ukrainian team is led by Kyrylo Budanov and includes Rustem Umerov, Davyd Arakhamia, Serhiy Kyslytsia and Oleh Ivashchenko; the US has invited UK, French and German national security advisers along with NATO and EU officials.
- US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner may travel to Moscow later in October for further talks with Vladimir Putin.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday the war had reached a "stalemate".
Why it matters for Europe
The talks are the latest US-led attempt to find a diplomatic path out of the war, after earlier visits by Trump's envoys to Kyiv and Moscow in September produced no breakthrough. Washington is seeking progress before the US midterm elections and before winter deepens Ukraine's energy crisis, which could shape how much pressure both sides feel to compromise.
Sources
Reported by 2 reports from 2 independent outlets in 2 countries.
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Questions and answers
- Who is taking part in the Miami talks?
- Ukraine's delegation is led by Kyrylo Budanov and includes Rustem Umerov, Davyd Arakhamia, Serhiy Kyslytsia and Oleh Ivashchenko; the US side includes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with UK, French, German, NATO and EU officials also invited.
- What is on the agenda?
- A possible partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure and grain shipments, security guarantees for Ukraine and a post-war economic recovery plan, according to Axios.
- Could the US envoys go to Moscow?
- Yes, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner may travel to Moscow later in October for further talks with Vladimir Putin, a source told Axios.
This article was written with AI assistance from 2 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.