• Miami talks focused on a 20-point plan to end the war in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expresses optimism about achieving a "real result."
• Constructive discussions occurred despite ongoing territorial disputes and military actions.

A third day of talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine commenced in Miami, where Ukrainian negotiators met with U.S. officials and European partners. The discussions arise amid a backdrop of renewed diplomatic activity following a controversial 28-point proposal from Washington, viewed as favorable to Moscow. Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff have recognized the meetings as “productive and constructive” but have yet to announce any significant breakthroughs, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

U.S. officials emphasized their commitment to facilitating a cohesive strategy that includes “four key documents,” such as a multilateral security framework and a detailed economic recovery plan for Ukraine. These discussions also involved separate talks with the Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who is returning to Moscow with updates on the negotiations, as stated by Al Jazeera and BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the talks as potentially leading to a “real result,” indicating positive advancements in negotiations that have been closely coordinated with U.S. and European representatives. He mentioned the essential need for varying security guarantees to protect Ukraine from future aggression, further underscoring the discussions’ significance amid continued military hostilities. This optimism, however, is tempered by doubts regarding Russia's genuine desire to cease hostilities, as he noted that “much depends on whether Russia feels the need to end the war for real,” according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Despite the constructive tone of the Miami meetings, substantial hurdles remain, particularly regarding Russia's territorial claims following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Reports indicate that the Kremlin sees Western involvement as detrimental to peace efforts, and recent Russian military actions have continued to escalate tensions, with over 1,300 drones deployed against Ukraine in just the past week, highlighted in multiple reports from Channel News Asia and Reuters.