U.S. envoys say Russian diesel deal could “soften” Moscow and revive Ukraine peace talks, while urging Kyiv to halt refinery strikes as Putin seeks Donbas

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner told Ukrainian officials in Miami on Friday that the U.S.-Russia deal allowing more than 2.25 million barrels of Russian diesel exports could help bring Moscow back to negotiations over the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the meeting. They said Russian President Vladimir Putin was not ready to negotiate an end to the war, but the deal might help restart trilateral talks and “soften” Moscow’s position by signaling that President Donald Trump was open to doing business with Russia.

The envoys also pressed Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, reiterating that Washington had made the request several times. Ukrainian officials were skeptical of the approach, which they viewed as using business deals to appease Russia, Reuters reported. The sides reached no formal agreement at the meeting; Ukrainian officials indicated they could support an energy ceasefire if Russia also agreed to one.

A person close to the Kremlin told Reuters that Putin would return to negotiations only after securing the remaining 11% of Donbas, which he could present at home as a victory. Ukraine has said it will not cede more territory, though freezing the conflict along the current front lines could form the basis of a peace deal.

Reuters reported that previous U.S. efforts to draw Putin toward a settlement—including proposed sanctions relief and potential minerals deals—had not substantially changed Russia’s core demands or secured its agreement to a comprehensive ceasefire.