- One idea is a partial ceasefire that would end attacks on energy infrastructure and grain shipments. While Ukraine has expressed readiness to take this step, Russia has been reluctant to do so.
- “They are all nervous about the winter. It will be a difficult winter if the war does not stop. So the United States is trying to negotiate with the parties, with the aim of creating a unified proposal,” said a US source.
Driving the news: Witkoff and Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv in early September. Since then, they have been working with the Russians and Ukrainians on an updated peace initiative.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a news conference in Lisbon on Thursday that the war was at a “stalemate.” He stressed that the United States wanted 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 on Thursday to present the latest U.S. proposal and get his comments ahead of negotiations 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 were also present at the meeting.
Zoom: On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, foreign intelligence director Rustem Umerov, diplomatic advisor Sergei Kyslytsia and MP Davyd Arakhamia will participate.
- The United States also invited national security advisers from the United Kingdom, France and Germany, as well as officials from NATO and the EU.
- A U.S. source said the sides would 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 was discussing the possibility of a ceasefire in the energy and grain sectors with the United States.
- “As for what might be realistic or more realistic, I’m not ready to say yet. I don’t want to say something and let 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 kyiv’s skepticism, the U.S. midterm elections and Russia’s need for sanctions relief could lead Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to some sort of ceasefire.
What to watch: Witkoff and Kushner could travel to Moscow later this month for further talks with Putin, an informed source said.
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