Story perspectives

Kremlin Rejects Trilateral Talks Amid Ongoing U.S.-Russia Tensions

12/22/2025

Center

Kremlin Rejects Talks

On December 21, the Kremlin dismissed the possibility of Russia-Ukraine-U.S. trilateral talks in Miami, with foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov saying no discussions or preparations had occurred.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier suggested trilateral talks but doubted their effectiveness.
Concurrently, Ukrainian and European negotiators met U.S. diplomats, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev held a meeting with U.S. officials, and Ushakov said changes to U.S. peace plan are unlikely to succeed.

Right

Zelensky Reports Escalation

On December 21, the Ukrainian army reported ongoing battles in Sumy region as Russia attempted a breakthrough.
There were claims that Russian forces forcibly relocated 50 residents from Grabovske to Russia.
Russia claimed to have captured the village of Vysoke.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched about 1,300 drones and nearly 1,200 bombs against Ukraine in the past week, signaling a renewed eastern offensive.

History

Historical Context

The Budapest Memorandum, signed in 1994 by the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom, provided security assurances to Ukraine in exchange for its nuclear disarmament, completed by 1996. However, Russia's recent actions contradict these commitments, highlighting the fragility of international agreements. The principle "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" has emerged as a key stance in ongoing negotiations since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

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Kremlin Rejects Talks

On December 21, the Kremlin dismissed the possibility of Russia-Ukraine-U.S. trilateral talks in Miami, with foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov saying no discussions or preparations had occurred.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier suggested trilateral talks but doubted their effectiveness.
Concurrently, Ukrainian and European negotiators met U.S. diplomats, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev held a meeting with U.S. officials, and Ushakov said changes to U.S. peace plan are unlikely to succeed.

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