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The United States is conducting negotiations with Russia and Ukraine as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the ongoing conflict, with President Donald Trump announcing that “very good” talks are underway. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Washington is pushing to conclude peace negotiations before summer, with delegations expected to meet in the United States as early as next week. The developments follow the second round of U.S.-brokered talks held in Abu Dhabi, which concluded with a significant prisoner exchange agreement between the warring parties.
According to statements released by Zelensky, the United States has proposed hosting negotiating teams in Miami within the coming week, marking the first time Washington has offered to facilitate direct talks on American soil. Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One that “very good talks” were happening with both Russia and Ukraine, suggesting that “something may happen,” though he provided no additional details about the substance of the discussions.
Peace Negotiations Target Summer Deadline
The Ukrainian leader indicated that the United States wants to halt the Russia-Ukraine war by June, setting an ambitious timeline for reaching a comprehensive settlement. However, five sources familiar with the discussions told reporters that negotiators had initially discussed an even more ambitious goal of achieving a peace agreement by March. That timeline appears likely to slip due to unresolved disagreements over territorial issues, which remain the primary obstacle to any lasting settlement.
According to sources close to the negotiations, the American and Ukrainian teams have discussed a framework whereby any eventual agreement would be put to a referendum among Ukrainian citizens. The vote would coincide with general elections in Ukraine, allowing the population to directly approve or reject the terms of a peace deal. Five sources confirmed these details on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
Abu Dhabi Talks Yield Prisoner Exchange
The second round of U.S.-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi concluded Thursday with Russia and Ukraine agreeing to a large-scale prisoner exchange. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff described the trilateral discussions as “constructive” and focused on creating conditions necessary for lasting peace. The talks resulted in the exchange of 314 prisoners, the first such swap in five months, according to Witkoff’s announcement.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian negotiating delegation returned to Kyiv on Friday to brief leadership on the Abu Dhabi meetings. Zelensky stated that his team is preparing for new sessions involving the United States and Russia to explore pathways for ending the war. The delegations agreed to report back to their respective capitals and continue trilateral discussions in the coming weeks.
Domestic Political Pressures Shape Timeline
Three sources indicated that the American negotiating team, led by Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, communicated Washington’s preference for holding a referendum on any potential Russia-Ukraine agreement during recent meetings in Abu Dhabi and Miami. Additionally, American negotiators expressed concern that Trump would likely shift focus to domestic affairs as the November congressional midterm elections approach. This political reality means U.S. officials may have less time and political capital to broker a peace deal later in the year.
In contrast to earlier expectations of a quick resolution, the territorial dispute continues to complicate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Sources familiar with the talks emphasized that disagreements over land remain the central challenge preventing progress toward a comprehensive peace agreement. The complexity of these issues suggests that achieving the summer deadline will require significant compromises from both sides.
Witkoff acknowledged that while ongoing diplomatic efforts are producing tangible results, the road to ending the war in Ukraine remains long. The next round of trilateral peace talks is expected to take place in the United States within the coming weeks, though the exact date and location have not been officially confirmed by all parties.
