Talks between U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators in Miami concluded this weekend, but the proposed peace deal with Russia remains clouded by open questions over security guarantees and territorial control. The result of the sessions left Ukrainian officials uneasy about whether a stable agreement , one that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty can actually be reached.
The Miami conference brought together U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Ukrainian representatives Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov, aiming to chart out a path toward ending the war. After three days of intense negotiations, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Olga Stefanishyna said that although both sides remain committed to dialogue, “difficult issues remain.” She emphasized that territory and security guarantees are the major sticking points.
According to Stefanishyna, Ukraine insists that any final deal must include credible ways to guarantee its security and sovereignty and must not force the country to give up more land to Russia.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin publicly welcomed the U.S. national security strategy announced this week, which notably removed language calling Russia a “direct threat.” Spokesman Dmitry Peskov described this change as a positive step that could open the door to renewed cooperation and stability talks.
That shift signals Moscow’s approval of at least part of the U.S. approach even as Russia remains firm on retaining control over territories like Donbas. Russian officials have reiterated that they will not compromise on their demands regarding Ukrainian lands.
The core challenge lies in the mutual distrust between Kyiv and Moscow. For Ukraine, giving up territory feels like outsourcing its security and future to a power that has waged war against it. For Russia, security guarantees that limit its freedom might be seen as weakness.
Ukraine fears that promises could be broken, as they were in the past. The population remains skeptical after years of intermittent ceasefires, broken agreements, and widespread destruction. For many Ukrainians, peace without enforceable guarantees would be meaningless.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a follow-up call with U.S. envoys that the nations will continue their dialogue and develop formats for future negotiations. Meanwhile, he and European leaders including from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany plan to meet soon in London to discuss next steps.
However, the gap between Ukrainian demands for complete security and Russia’s territorial ambitions remains wide. Until those core issues are reconciled, any deal risks being fragile or short-lived.
The Miami talks offered a glimmer of hope but ultimately underscored how fragile the path to peace remains. With the U.S. realigning its stance toward Russia and Moscow softening some rhetoric, the diplomatic environment is shifting but Ukraine must still guard its sovereignty. Until security guarantees are credible and territorial demands reconcilable, full peace remains a distant prospect.
