Diplomatic efforts to resolve the protracted conflict in Ukraine are advancing constructively, according to a senior Kremlin envoy participating in U.S.-brokered peace negotiations. Kirill Dmitriev, representing Russian interests, confirmed that discussions with Trump administration officials—including presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner—are ongoing in Florida, following earlier consultations with Ukrainian and European representatives in Berlin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the critical importance of the United States’ diplomatic stance following these engagements with Russian counterparts. This development comes shortly after Ukraine’s negotiation team concluded parallel meetings with American and European partners in the United States.
Despite the Trump administration’s intensive diplomatic campaign to broker peace, significant obstacles remain due to fundamentally incompatible positions between Moscow and Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently reinforced his maximalist demands regarding Ukraine, even as Russian forces continue incremental territorial advances despite substantial military casualties.
Putin reiterated confidence on Friday that the Kremlin would ultimately accomplish its military objectives should Ukraine refuse to accept Russia’s terms in peace negotiations. Meanwhile, European Union leaders demonstrated continued support for Ukraine by approving €90 billion ($106 billion) in funding to address the nation’s military and economic requirements over the next two years. While initially considering utilizing frozen Russian assets, the EU ultimately secured these funds through capital market borrowing after failing to resolve legal complications with Belgium.