Overview
- The U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov convened in Miami for a third straight day of talks, following Putin’s warning that Kyiv must leave the Donbass or Russia will take it by force.
- Umerov said Ukraine seeks an agreement that safeguards independence and sovereignty, adding that progress requires Russia to show credible steps toward de‑escalation and a halt to killings.
- The White House published its National Security Strategy stating it is a core U.S. interest to negotiate a rapid cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and to prevent NATO being seen as an alliance in perpetual expansion.
- European leaders privately cautioned, according to Der Spiegel, that Washington could accept territorial concessions for Russia, heightening concern over Kyiv’s security guarantees.
- The U.S. eased certain sanctions on Lukoil to allow limited foreign operations and approved a $301 million sale of long‑range air‑to‑air missiles to Italy.