Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, is scheduled to travel to Miami this week for discussions with Steve Witkoff, a special envoy from the United States, according to a report by Bloomberg on May 6.
The meeting comes as diplomatic efforts continue regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Moscow has expressed a desire for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from the Donetsk region, while Kyiv maintains its position of not conceding any territory and refusing to recognize areas occupied by Russian forces.
Sources familiar with the matter, including a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide details on the agenda for the upcoming meeting. There had been hopes in Kyiv that Witkoff would travel to Ukraine accompanied by another envoy, Jared Kushner, but this remains uncertain. In a recent interview with Bloomberg News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that both envoys had been invited, but their visit has yet to be confirmed, although they remain in contact with Ukrainian officials.
Last week, on April 29, a phone conversation took place between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, lasting approximately one and a half hours. Trump described the discussion as “very good,” indicating that Ukraine and Iran were among the topics covered. During this call, the US President suggested a “small ceasefire” in Ukraine.
Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has emphasized the urgency of concluding the war in Ukraine. The United States has acted as a mediator in a series of negotiations that have yet to result in a ceasefire. A key issue remains territorial control, with Russia insisting that control over the entire Donetsk region is a prerequisite for any dialogue regarding a peace agreement, a condition that Ukraine finds unacceptable.
The last direct trilateral negotiations took place in February. Diplomatic contacts have since stalled following the onset of military actions involving the US and Israel against Iran.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's National Security Chief, will meet US envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami to discuss ongoing tensions regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting follows a recent phone call between US and Russian leaders, highlighting the complexities of territorial disputes in the region.
Source: Bloomberg