Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the talks a day earlier, saying a Ukrainian delegation would hold discussions with US representatives, with European officials also expected to participate.

The meetings come amid rising civilian casualties from Russian attacks and growing diplomatic pressure to halt the war before winter.

Who Will Attend the Miami Talks?

According to Zelensky, Ukraine will be represented by presidential chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, Rustem Umerov, Serhii Kyslytsia and David Arakhamia.

The US delegation will be led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. National security advisers from the United Kingdom, France and Germany, along with representatives from the European Union and NATO, have also been invited.

The discussions are expected to focus on future security guarantees for Ukraine, post-war reconstruction and possible proposals to end the conflict. One proposal involves a limited ceasefire that could apply to shipping in the Black Sea or energy infrastructure.

Russia will not participate directly in the talks, leaving it unclear whether the Miami discussions can pave the way for a final agreement.

More Than 70 Killed in Russian Attacks

A new wave of Russian attacks in Ukraine has increased civilian casualties ahead of the talks. Ukrainian officials said at least 30 people were killed and 18 injured in a Russian strike near passenger buses in the eastern city of Kramatorsk. Public transport in the area was suspended following the attack.

A day earlier, a Russian missile strike on a five-storey residential building in the northern city of Pryluky, in the Chernihiv region, killed 22 people, including five children.

According to Zelensky, more than 70 people have been killed in Russian attacks over the past two days. Following the strikes, Ukraine called for stronger air defences and increased pressure on Russia.

Why Is Zelensky Frustrated With the US?

Zelensky criticised the US administration, saying Washington was not putting sufficient pressure on Russia to bring it to the negotiating table. He urged the United States to help Ukraine expand its access to Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX.

According to Zelensky, the service could help Ukraine track Russian systems used to launch ballistic missiles and improve its air defences.

The Ukrainian president questioned why the United States could provide Starlink services in other conflicts but was not offering similar assistance to Ukraine for its defence. He also accused Washington of hesitating to apply effective pressure on Russia.

Is the War Really at a Stalemate?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the Russia-Ukraine war was at a dangerous stalemate. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov agreed with the assessment, saying there were currently no immediate prospects for a trilateral summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky and Trump.

Zelensky, however, disagreed with this position, arguing that discussing future economic projects with Russia while claiming that diplomacy had reached a deadlock was contradictory. He said Ukraine had not reached a diplomatic dead end.

The Ukrainian president also called for tougher sanctions to weaken the Russian economy. His officials may raise the issue with US representatives during the Miami talks.

Can the Miami Talks Lead to a Ceasefire?

The main objective of the Miami meetings is to bring together American, Ukrainian and European proposals and find a path towards a ceasefire or a broader agreement.

Ukraine wants reliable security guarantees and practical measures to limit Russian attacks as part of any effort to stop the war. European countries also want to be involved because the conflict’s future has direct implications for European security, energy prices and defence policies.

However, Russia’s absence from the talks, disagreements over the terms for ending the war and concerns about Ukraine’s security remain major obstacles.

For now, the Miami meetings represent a renewed diplomatic effort, not a confirmed agreement to end the war. Their outcome will depend on how far the United States, Ukraine and European countries can agree on joint proposals and whether Russia is willing to accept them.