Ukrainian negotiators meet Trump’s envoys in Miami to discuss security guarantees and post-war recovery as Russia’s invasion nears its fourth year.
MIAMI: A Ukrainian delegation has arrived in the United States for critical talks with senior advisers to President Donald Trump.
The team, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s new chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, will meet Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
Discussions in Miami are expected to focus on security guarantees and post-war recovery plans as the conflict with Russia approaches its fourth anniversary.
“Arrived in the United States,” Budanov stated on social media.
He confirmed the delegation, which includes security chief Rustem Umerov and negotiator David Arakhamia, would “have an important conversation with our American partners regarding the details of the peace agreement”.
Kyiv seeks clarity on long-term security commitments from its allies to deter future Russian aggression.
Zelensky hopes to finalise and sign related documents with American officials at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
The talks occur amid a renewed Russian military offensive and relentless attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
On Saturday, Ukrainian officials reported 56,000 families near Bucha were without power following nighttime Russian strikes.
Most regions of Ukraine are under electricity restrictions due to the sustained assaults.
“Due to constant massive attacks by the Russian Federation, a state of emergency has been declared in the Ukrainian energy sector,” the energy ministry said.
Russia announced its forces captured two more villages in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions on Saturday.
The Kremlin insists it will seize all Ukrainian territory it claims if diplomacy fails.
Trump has pressured Ukraine to accept peace terms that Kyiv views as capitulation, expressing frustration with both sides.
Separately, the UK and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached.
Moscow has rejected that plan, warning any foreign forces would be considered “legitimate targets”.
