On October 12, 2026, American representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held a meeting with Ukrainian negotiators in Miami, where they discussed the possibility of concluding a deal on the export of Russian diesel. They expressed hope that this deal could help bring Russia back to the peace negotiations.
The Goal of the Deal: Returning to Negotiations
During the meeting, the American diplomats noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently not ready for negotiations. However, they believe that the diesel deal could serve as a signal of the US's willingness to make concessions, which in turn could soften Moscow's position. According to one source, the idea is that the US could return to Russia and say:
- “Look, the Ukrainians have stopped their strikes, and we have provided you with this deal. Now it's your turn to take a step towards us.”
Ukraine's Position and the Kremlin's Reaction
In response to the US calls, the Ukrainian delegation did not take on any official obligations but expressed a willingness for an energy truce, provided there are mutual actions from Russia. At the same time, a source close to the Kremlin stated that Putin would be ready to return to negotiations only after Russia captures the remaining 11% of Donbas territory, which he could present as a victory domestically.
US Calls and Their Impact on the Conflict
The US urged Ukraine to cease strikes on Russian oil refineries but did not threaten to withdraw military or intelligence support. The American side hopes that such a deal and the cessation of Ukrainian attacks could facilitate the return of Moscow to the peace process.