Russia and Ukraine agreed this weekend to begin negotiations through a joint working group as part of efforts to resolve the armed conflict they have been engaged in since 2022.
Peace Working Group
US President Donald Trump announced the information after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago, Florida. This dialogue format aims to address the most complex points of a peace agreement, with the goal of making progress in the coming weeks.
Trump explained that the working group will be composed of key aides from each country. This includes high-level envoys and security representatives, with the United States participating as a mediator.
According to the announcement, Russia accepted the proposal to debate with Ukraine under this technical framework. The talks would focus on issues such as a ceasefire, security guarantees for Kyiv. As well, the future of the Ukrainian eastern regions occupied by Russian forces.
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American Mediation and Group Structure
The strategy was presented by Trump alongside Zelensky during a press conference, where it was detailed that the American team will include figures such as:
- Steve Witkoff
- The president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner
- The Secretary of State
- Top military chiefs as part of the delegation.
The US president emphasized that the participation of all involved parties is crucial to resolving the conflict, underlining that an agreement is only possible if the parties work together in a technical and continuous format.
Zelensky stated that it is expected the working group will advance in defining several «roadmaps» that clarify the differences between the parties and lay the groundwork for a broader agreement. Although all the details of the concrete proposals have not yet been revealed, it was announced that key decisions are expected in January.
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Conflict Context and Next Steps
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv have been sporadic and without lasting results. Although there have been partial exchanges such as the prisoner swap in 2025.
The creation of this working group represents a change in the mediation dynamic, with the United States pushing for a more active role in seeking a negotiated exit from the conflict.
International analysts have observed that, although the initiative offers a mechanism to bring positions closer, definitive peace will depend on the willingness of the parties to commit on issues of territory, security guarantees, and respect for Ukrainian sovereignty.
