The Kremlin denies preparations for US-mediated talks with Ukraine, casting doubt on a potential diplomatic breakthrough in the ongoing conflict
MOSCOW: The Kremlin has denied that three-way negotiations involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia are being prepared.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, stated the initiative is not under serious discussion.
“At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge, it is not in preparation,” Ushakov told reporters, according to Russian news agencies.
The denial follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s revelation that Washington had proposed the trilateral format.
Zelensky expressed scepticism that such talks would yield progress, telling journalists, “I am not sure that anything new could come of it.”
He added it would be logical to hold a joint meeting, potentially with European envoys present.
Diplomats have gathered in Miami for talks mediated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev arrived in Miami on Saturday, with Ukrainian and European teams present since Friday.
Ushakov said Dmitriev would report back to Moscow before any decision on next steps.
The Kremlin aide also stated he had not seen a revised US proposal to end the conflict.
The last official direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian envoys were held in Istanbul in July.
Those discussions led to prisoner exchanges but produced little other concrete progress.
The Miami talks mark a shift from earlier separate negotiations held with each side in different locations.
Extremely strained relations after nearly four years of conflict cast doubt on the prospect of direct talks.
Moscow argues that European involvement in the negotiations only hinders the process.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky reported intense Russian attacks over the past week.
He stated on X that Russia launched approximately 1,300 attack drones and nearly 1,200 guided aerial bombs.
