Three days of negotiations between Ukrainian and United States officials ended without a breakthrough, even as Russia unleashed one of its largest aerial bombardments of the war.
The talks in Florida wrapped up on Saturday. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his phone discussion with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as “substantive.” However, both sides agreed that real progress depends on Moscow’s willingness to commit to a genuine peace process.
Ukraine–US Talks Stall as Russian Forces Intensify Attacks
The failed negotiations highlight the widening gap between diplomatic efforts and the reality on the battlefield.
During the same period, Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles in a massive overnight assault targeting energy and infrastructure facilities across multiple regions.
Officials reported that 29 locations were hit, leaving at least eight people injured. The strikes also temporarily cut power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, raising renewed concerns about reactor safety. The plant, under Russian occupation since the early stages of the war, requires continuous electricity to cool its six reactors and avoid catastrophic failure.
Zelenskyy confirmed that energy sites and transport hubs were the main targets. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 585 drones and 30 missiles, preventing further devastation.
Russia Advances on the Ground as Winter Fighting Intensifies
Beyond the air assault, battlefield momentum appears to be shifting further in Russia’s favor.
Moscow’s troops continue pushing deeper into Donetsk, closing in on Pokrovsk and nearly encircling Myrnohrad. Reports indicate Russia captured 505 square kilometers in November alone—almost double the gains recorded in October.
Additionally, Russia controls most of the Luhansk region and maintains dominance across coastal territories stretching to Kherson. While front lines have mostly stabilized, incremental advances continue.
International Pressure Builds Ahead of London Meeting
Diplomatic efforts will resume next week. French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet Zelenskyy in London on Monday to assess the stalled US-mediated peace effort.
Macron criticized Russia’s “escalatory path” and said international partners must “continue to apply pressure to force meaningful peace.”
The talks in Miami followed a separate meeting between US envoys and Vladimir Putin in Moscow, which also ended with no agreement.
ICC: Peace Talks Won’t Stop Putin Arrest Warrant
Adding further complexity, the International Criminal Court confirmed that peace negotiations cannot halt the arrest warrant issued against Putin for alleged war crimes.
Deputy prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said the warrant could only be deferred through a United Nations Security Council decision and insisted that “peace must include accountability.”
Despite diplomatic pressure, Putin has ordered Russian forces to prepare for ongoing winter operations, signaling that the conflict is far from over.
