Miami Diplomatic Deadlock: Kremlin Denies Tripartite Summit as Zelensky Doubts Russia’s Sincerity

As high-stakes negotiations continue in Miami, the Kremlin on Sunday dismissed reports of an upcoming tripartite summit between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Yuri Ushakov, the Russian presidency’s diplomatic advisor, stated that the U.S. proposal for direct talks—the first in six months—is not currently under serious preparation, casting a shadow over the diplomatic flurry in Florida.

The Miami Talks and the 28-Point Plan In Miami, mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are leading discussions with Ukrainian, European, and Russian representatives. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev is set to return to Moscow to report on the progress. Central to these talks is a revised 28-point U.S. peace plan. While details remain scarce, it is expected to involve territorial concessions from Kyiv in exchange for robust American security guarantees—a proposal that remains highly contentious.

Zelensky’s Dual Message Amid Frontline Escalation President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism regarding Moscow's commitment to peace, citing "negative signals" from the Kremlin. Despite describing talks with Western allies as "constructive," Zelensky pointed to Russia's relentless air campaign, with over 1,300 drones and 1,200 aerial bombs launched in just one week. He emphasized that any progress depends on whether Russia genuinely feels the need to end the conflict.

Putin-Macron Dialogue: A Glimmer of Hope? In a notable shift, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Vladimir Putin is open to resuming dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron. The Élysée welcomed the gesture but insisted on "full transparency" with Kyiv and European partners. This potential re-engagement marks the first significant diplomatic opening since the stalled Istanbul talks in July.