U.S. and Ukraine hold marathon talks in Miami on Trump's peace plan
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Jared Kushner (L) and Steve Witkoff in July. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators are holding a second day of talks in Miami around President Trump's peace plan on Friday, U.S. and Ukrainian officials say.
Why it matters: While the Ukrainian and Russian public positions appear irreconcilable, U.S. officials continue to believe compromise could be within reach even on the most sensitive issue of territory.
The latest: "Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings," the State Department said in a statement at the end of the talks on Friday.
Driving the news: The talks in Miami take place after a five-hour meeting between Trump's advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Russian President Putin on Tuesday.
- President Trump said the talks in Moscow were "very good" and stressed his envoys came back with the impression that Putin wants to make a deal.
- No immediate breakthroughs were announced, and both Moscow and Washington kept mum on the details of the discussion.
State of play: The Ukrainian delegation in Miami is headed by chief negotiator and national security adviser Rustem Umerov and Ukrainian military chief of staff Gen. Andrii Hnatov.
- They met with Witkoff and Kushner on Thursday evening for two hours and resumed on Friday morning.
- Witkoff and Kushner briefed the Ukrainians in detail about the meeting with Putin and about new ideas to try and bridge the gaps between the parties, according to a source with knowledge.
- A U.S. official told Axios the talks on Thursday were "positive."
What they're saying: The State Department said in a statement that Umerov reaffirmed during the talks that Ukraine's priority is "securing a settlement that protects its independence and sovereignty, ensures the safety of Ukrainians, and provides a stable foundation for a prosperous democratic future."
- According to the State Department, the parties agreed on the framework of security arrangements in a future peace deal with Russia and discussed "necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace."
- The negotiations also focused on post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, the long term rehabilitation of the Ukrainian economy and joint U.S.–Ukraine economic initiatives.
What's next: The talks will continue on Saturday, according to the State Department.
