The Miami Manoeuvre: Can Kushner and Witkoff Break the Siege?

The spotlight of international diplomacy shifts to Miami this weekend as President Trump’s most trusted envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, prepare to meet with a high-level Russian delegation. Following marathon sessions in Berlin, the U.S. team is betting that direct dialogue with Moscow’s representative, Kirill Dmitriev, will provide the breakthrough needed to end nearly four years of brutal conflict. Trump has characterized this moment as a “now or never” window, fearing that Russian flexibility will vanish if Ukraine does not act with urgency.
The Miami talks are not just a follow-up; they are a critical test of the Trump administration’s “28-point peace framework.” While the U.S. and Ukraine have reportedly bridged 90% of their differences in Germany, the final 10%—centered on the Donbas—remains a massive obstacle. The President’s strategy relies on a rapid-fire series of meetings to prevent any party from retreating into entrenched positions, a tactic he believes is essential when dealing with the Kremlin.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky has expressed cautious optimism, noting “real progress” on security guarantees, yet he remains firm on the issue of sovereignty. For Kyiv, the Miami meeting represents a dangerous pivot point where U.S. pressure to cede land could collide with Ukraine’s national survival. Zelensky has hinted that he might consider a referendum to let the Ukrainian people decide on any territorial shifts, a move that could either validate a deal or end it entirely.
On the other side, Russia has signaled that its demands are non-negotiable. Moscow continues to insist on the full annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The Russian delegation enters Florida with a mandate from Putin to secure these “historic lands,” leaving little room for the “free economic zone” compromise currently being floated by Washington.
As the world watches the Florida coastline, the stakes could not be higher. If Witkoff and Kushner fail to extract a concession from Dmitriev, the conflict is expected to escalate into a “new year of war” in 2026. The Miami summit may be the last genuine chance for a negotiated settlement before the military realities on the ground take over once again.