Kushner, Witkoff to pitch "new ideas" to end Russia-Ukraine war
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes U.S. Special Envoys Steve Witkoff (R) and Jared Kushner (C) prior to their talks in Kyiv on Sept. 6. Photo: Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images
Presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet with Ukrainian negotiators and European officials in Miami on Friday to present "new ideas and proposals" to break the stalemate in the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. and Ukrainian officials say.
Why it matters: The Trump administration is hoping to reach a diplomatic breakthrough ahead of the midterm elections and before brutal winter weather grips Ukraine.
- One of the ideas is a partial ceasefire that halts attacks on energy infrastructure and grain shipments. While Ukraine has said it's willing to take that step, Russia has shown little willingness.
- "They are all nervous about the winter. It will be a tough winter if the war does not stop. So the U.S. is trying to mediate with the sides, with the goal of creating a unified proposal," a U.S. source said
Driving the news: Witkoff and Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv in early September. Since then, they've been working with the Russians and Ukrainians on an updated peace initiative.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference in Lisbon Thursday that the war is at a "stalemate." He stressed that the U.S. wants to prevent further escalation of fighting in the coming month and find a way to end the war.
Behind the scenes: Witkoff and Kushner met with President Trump Thursday to present the latest U.S. proposal and receive his input ahead of the talks in Miami, which are expected to last two days, a U.S. official said.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Deputy National Security Advisor Mike Needham also attended the meeting.
Zoom in: President Volodymyr Zelensky's Chief of Staff, Kyrylo Budanov, Foreign Intelligence Director Rustem Umerov, diplomatic adviser Sergey Kyslytsia and Member of Parliament Davyd Arakhamia will participate from the Ukrainian side.
- The U.S. also invited national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany, as well as officials from NATO and the EU.
- A U.S. source said the parties will discuss proposals for security guarantees for Ukraine, a post-war prosperity plan and other aspects of the conflict.
The other side: Zelensky told reporters on Thursday that Ukraine is discussing with the U.S. the possibility of an energy and grain ceasefire.
- "As for what might be realistic or more realistic, I am not ready to say yet. I do not want to say something and then have Russia, as always, do the opposite out of spite. So let's wait and see," he said.
Between the lines: A Ukrainian official said that despite skepticism in Kyiv, the U.S. midterm elections and Russia's need for sanctions relief might lead Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire of some sort.
What to watch: Witkoff and Kushner might travel to Moscow later this month for more talks with Putin, a source with knowledge said.
