Topic: Peace Talks

U.S. negotiators met with Russian and Ukrainian envoys at a gated golf course in Miami to discuss potential peace terms. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin held a four-and-a-half-hour televised Q&A in Moscow, where he blamed Western "opponents" for the ongoing conflict and rejected responsibility for future casualties. President Zelensky indicated that any territorial concessions would require a national referendum in Ukraine.

Peace negotiations involving the Trump inner circle are reportedly taking place at the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The club is owned by Trump's special envoy, Steve Whitkoff, and serves as a neutral ground for the meetings. The talks involve key members of the incoming administration's foreign policy team.

Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia for talks with U.S. officials to create a framework for peace. President Zelenskyy will visit Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but will not participate directly in the negotiations. The segment disputes media reports that Trump "defended" Russian bombardments.

Vladimir Putin stated that the war in Ukraine would not have happened if the 2020 U.S. election had not been "stolen" from Donald Trump. Putin expressed readiness for peace talks but is waiting for signals from the new administration. Ukrainian President Zelensky dismissed Putin's comments as a manipulation of Trump's desire for peace.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pushed aside Ukraine's request for an immediate membership invitation during meetings in Brussels. Rutte emphasized that the current priority is providing battlefield equipment rather than formalizing membership, which many allies fear would drag the alliance into a direct war with Russia. The focus has shifted toward putting Ukraine in a "position of strength" for upcoming peace talks.

NBC's Richard Engel reports on Ukrainian kamikaze sea drones attacking Russian vessels in the Black Sea, including a landing ship and an oil tanker. Additionally, verified videos indicate Ukraine has begun using U.S.-provided cluster munitions on the eastern front lines while international peace talks commence in Saudi Arabia without Russia.

Saudi Arabia announced it will host a peace summit to discuss ending the conflict in Ukraine. While Russia is not invited, representatives from the Biden administration and BRICS nations like Brazil, India, and South Africa are expected to attend.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko invited US President Joe Biden to Minsk for peace negotiations to end the Ukraine war. As a close ally of Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko's offer is viewed as a potential olive branch from the East. Analysts suggest the conflict may transition toward a negotiated settlement once long-term military production contracts are finalized.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu orders a withdrawal from the western bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson region. Meanwhile, President Zelensky signals a cautious openness to "genuine peace talks," though his advisors specify they will not negotiate with Vladimir Putin. The hosts analyze the "informational silence" maintained by Ukrainian forces during the Russian retreat.