The Americans and Ukrainians enter the third day of negotiations in Miami / Message from the Department of State
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's chief negotiator is in Florida for talks with the Americans. Photo: CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP / Profimedia
Ukrainian and American negotiators meet in Florida on Saturday for a third day of talks on the United States' plan to end the war with Russia, but warned that “any real progress” towards peace will depend on Moscow's will, according to AFP.
“The two sides agreed that any real progress toward an agreement depends on Russia's willingness to make a serious commitment to a lasting peace, particularly through de-escalation measures and an end to the killing,” the State Department said late Friday at the end of the second day of talks.
It stated that the participants “agreed on the framework of security agreements (…) and on the deterrence capabilities necessary to maintain lasting peace” in the event of an agreement.
On the American side, Donald Trump's emissary, Steve Witkoff, as well as the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are participating in the talks near Miami.
On the Ukrainian side, chief negotiator Rustem Umerov and General Andreï Hnatov are present.
Since the presentation of the American plan, almost three weeks ago, several negotiation sessions have been held with the Ukrainians in Geneva and Florida in an attempt to modify the text in favor of Kiev.
The document was also presented to President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, during the visit to Moscow of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
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Few details have been revealed about this modified plan, after the original version was perceived by Kiev and the Europeans as largely favorable to Russia.
They “discussed the results” of the Moscow meeting
In its statement, the State Department said the participants “discussed the results” of the Moscow meeting and that Umerov reiterated that Ukraine's priority was to reach an agreement “that protects its independence and sovereignty.”
After the meeting in the Russian capital, the Kremlin said progress had been made but that “much remains to be done” to reach a resolution to the conflict triggered by Russia's February 2022 invasion.
The Kremlin says Putin has accepted some US proposals on Ukraine and is ready to continue talks
Kremlin diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov said Friday that Tuesday's meeting in Moscow was conducted in a cordial atmosphere and praised Kushner's participation in the talks.
The Russian head of state and Witkoff had a “really friendly conversation and get along,” Ushakov said on Russian state television. “A new person has joined us and I would say he's been very helpful,” he added, referring to Jared Kushner.
On the ground, the Russian army continued its advance on the front on Friday, claiming the capture of the town of Bezimenne in the eastern region of Donetsk, where the fighting is concentrated.
On Saturday morning, Russia “massively attacked the Kyiv region with drones and missiles,” regional governor Mykola Kalachnyk wrote on Telegram, reporting three injuries.
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