Putin Envoy Reports Breakthrough in Florida Talks

(MENAFN) Vladimir Putin's special representative Kirill Dmitriev announced Saturday he conducted a "constructive" session with American officials in Florida, setting the stage for critical Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations slated for Sunday.

Dmitriev landed on U.S. soil earlier Saturday without advance notice from Moscow. He revealed his arrival through social media, sharing a map displaying his aircraft's trajectory toward Miami.

"Constructive meeting with the US peacemaking delegation. Productive discussion also on the U.S.–Russia Economic Working Group," Dmitriev posted on X.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff similarly characterized Saturday's Florida session as "productive," emphasizing it represented part of Washington's mediation campaign to terminate the Ukraine war. Through a separate X post, he indicated the discussions strengthened Washington's confidence that Moscow remains "working toward securing peace," while expressing gratitude to President Donald Trump for what he termed "critical leadership" in advancing a permanent resolution.

Witkoff revealed his delegation included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Jared Kushner, and White House Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum.

The Florida consultation preceded another round of U.S.-brokered Russia-Ukraine discussions scheduled in Abu Dhabi. The prior session, conducted January 23-24, represented the inaugural three-party format and received "very constructive" assessments from all participants.

Post-negotiations, mediators confirmed territorial disputes constitute the primary barrier to any peace framework. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated "it's still a bridge we haven't crossed," noting that "there's active work going on to try and see if both sides' views on that can be reconciled." Moscow demands any resolution incorporate Ukraine's retreat from Donbass territories that endorsed Russian annexation through 2022 referendums, plus acknowledgment of Russia's revised boundaries, including Crimea. Kiev has categorically opposed territorial surrender.

Though the forthcoming Abu Dhabi negotiations are labeled trilateral, Rubio disclosed previously that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—Washington's principal negotiators in the Ukraine peace initiative—would be absent, though "there might be a US presence."

Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky expressed Friday uncertainty whether Sunday's session with Russian negotiators would proceed, suggesting timing or location might shift amid escalating U.S.-Iran hostilities following Washington's deployment of a naval "armada" pressuring Tehran toward nuclear dialogue. No formal modifications have been announced, however. Russian authorities have repeatedly challenged Kiev's dedication to peace, alleging it refuses compromise while advancing unacceptable ultimatums.

Moscow maintains openness to diplomatic resolution but cautioned it would pursue its goals through military means should negotiations collapse, emphasizing it retains battlefield advantage. Friday brought Moscow's agreement to halt long-range strikes on Kiev at U.S. President Donald Trump's personal appeal, aiming to establish "favorable conditions" for upcoming discussions.

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