Anticipated US-Russian Talks in Miami Amidst Escalating Ground Conflict Between Moscow and Kyiv

SadaNews - Talks are taking place in Florida between American and Russian negotiators to end the war in Ukraine, amid intelligence warnings of Putin's intention to seize full control of Ukraine. Ukraine is prepared to concede NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees, while refusing to surrender any territory. At the same time, Ukraine has launched attacks on Russian oil facilities, with 7 people killed in Russian shelling of the port of Odessa.

The meeting follows American discussions on Friday with Ukrainian and European officials, which broadcast some hope of reaching a resolution to the conflict.

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's envoy, will lead the Russian delegation that will meet with American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Rustem Umerov, the chief Ukrainian negotiator, stated after meeting with American officials on Friday that the parties involved in the talks agreed to continue their joint efforts.

Umerov wrote on Telegram, "We have agreed with our American partners to take further steps and to continue our joint work in the near future."

He added that he had informed President Volodymyr Zelensky of the results of the talks.

The West is awaiting Russia's position on the peace plan during the anticipated talks in Miami on Saturday, while the Russian president stated that Moscow is ready to consider refraining from strikes deep into Ukraine.

American, Ukrainian, and European officials indicated last week that progress has been made regarding security guarantees for Kyiv as part of the talks to end the war, but it remains unclear if these conditions will be acceptable to Moscow.

A Russian source told Reuters that it is unlikely any meeting will occur between Dmitriev and Ukrainian negotiators.

"Full Annexation of Ukraine"

Informed sources told Reuters that American intelligence reports continue to warn that Putin intends to seize all of Ukraine, which contradicts assurances from some American officials that Moscow is ready for peace.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that he would not force Ukraine into any agreement to end the Russian invasion, as European allies joined new talks in Miami.

The weekend discussions come as the Russian president, in his annual press conference, pledged to continue his military offensive in Ukraine, praising battlefield victories nearly four years into the war.

Trump's envoys pressured a plan that would require the United States to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, but Kyiv is likely expected to concede some territory, which many Ukrainians oppose. However, Rubio stated that any agreement must be mutually acceptable to both sides.

Rubio said at a press conference in Washington: "There is no peace agreement unless Ukraine agrees to it. All this narrative that we are trying to impose something on Ukraine is ridiculous."

He added, "We cannot force Ukraine into a deal, and we cannot force Russia into a deal. They have to want to make the deal."

Rubio indicated that he may join the talks in Miami, his hometown, on Saturday.

Russian Gains

Putin warned on Friday that Moscow would seek to strengthen its gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin's demands in peace talks.

Putin wants recognition of all the regions that his forces have taken control of in four main areas, in addition to the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow annexed in 2014, as Russian territory. He has also demanded that Ukraine withdraw from some regions in eastern Ukraine that Russian forces have not yet controlled.

The Kremlin insists that Ukraine must abandon its pursuit of NATO membership and warns that Moscow will not accept the deployment of any NATO member forces, considering them to be a "legitimate target."

Putin stated at the annual conference, "Our forces are advancing along the entire contact line. I am confident that before the end of this year, we will see new successes."

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow does not see Ukraine as willing to reach a compromise or make concessions regarding territory, adding that his forces continue to advance along the contact line.

Russia has made steady gains in eastern Ukraine after failing to swiftly overthrow the Kyiv government and seize the country in February 2022.

The issue of territory remains the main obstacle in the talks, and a source familiar with the negotiations indicated earlier this week that the United States is pressuring Kyiv to concede territory in the eastern Donetsk region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his readiness to give up Ukraine's NATO ambitions if the United States and other Western countries provided Kyiv with security guarantees similar to those given to NATO members. However, Ukraine still prefers NATO membership as the best security guarantee against further Russian aggression.

At the same time, Zelensky rejected Moscow's demands to withdraw its forces from areas that Russia has not managed to control by force.

Zelensky added, "We are at war, and the United States is the decision-maker, and it is truly able to stop Putin, and I depend on that. I truly rely on pressure from the United States. Putin does not want to end this war, but he can if the United States exerts more pressure."

In November, the United States surprised Europe by unveiling a 28-point plan to settle the war, bypassing the major powers on the continent, which some viewed as benefiting Russia. Ukraine and Europe have adjusted the plan, but Russia has not yet responded, with Putin stating on Friday that "the ball is now fully and completely in Kyiv and its Western allies' court."

Ukraine Attacks Russian Oil Platform

Ukraine stated that its drones attacked a Russian oil platform owned by Lukoil in the Caspian Sea and a military patrol ship near the platform.

This attack, which the Ukrainian General Staff said occurred on Friday, is part of a series of strikes targeting Russian oil extraction infrastructure in the Caspian Sea over the past few weeks, but it is the first attack officially acknowledged by the Ukrainian military.

The military stated that a drilling platform belonging to the Filanovski oil platform was damaged in the attack. The oil platform had been attacked at least twice more in December.

Reuters was unable to verify the matter. Lukoil has not yet commented.

Kyiv claims that Russian oil infrastructure is a legitimate target because its revenues are the main source of financing for the war that Moscow has been waging against Ukraine for nearly four years.

The General Staff reported that a military patrol ship was also targeted, and the level of damage is being assessed.

Russian Bombardment on Odessa

Ukrainian officials reported that seven people were killed and about 15 were injured in a Russian missile attack targeting the infrastructure of the port of Odessa on the Black Sea late Friday evening.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba wrote on Telegram, "Late Friday evening, Russia launched a missile attack on port infrastructure in the Odessa region."

He added, "Initial information indicates that seven people died and about 15 others are receiving treatment."

A source familiar with the situation stated that the attack was on the Pivdennyi port, one of three ports in the region. Odessa, a pivotal point for Ukrainian grain and other exports, has been a recurring target of Russian attacks since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The intensity of the attacks has increased in recent days, often leading to long and widespread power outages.