A US delegation met on March 11 in Miami, Florida, with the leading Russian negotiator and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev, News.bg reports.
According to information from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the meeting was attended by the US special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkov, former senior advisor to the President Jared Kushner, and senior advisor to the Peace Council of President Donald Trump Josh Gruenbaum.
Witkov said that during the talks “various topics“ were discussed, with the parties agreeing to maintain contact and in the future. However, neither side has yet issued an official statement about the meeting.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that three groups of Ukrainian specialists have been sent to the Middle East to help strengthen the air defenses of the United States and its allies. According to him, the experts - military and engineers - are already working and maintaining active communication with their partners.
Zelensky specified that the Minister of National Security and Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov arrived in the United Arab Emirates on March 11, where he is discussing opportunities for cooperation and is about to visit other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia.
The Ukrainian president added that his country had recently sent interceptor drones and a team of specialists to protect US military bases in Jordan, and another team will assist countries in the region in countering Iranian drones.
According to ISW analysts, the experience gained by Ukraine in the fight against Iranian drones can be valuable for strengthening the air defense of the US and its allies in the Middle East. The Ukrainian army has gained significant combat experience in this area in recent years of the war.
At the same time, the Kremlin continues to tighten control over the information space in Russia. Authorities have restricted mobile data in the Moscow City area since March 5, and according to sources in the State Duma, mobile Internet access in the parliament building itself was cut off for a second day in a row on March 12.
Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin explained the communication problems with “state security“ issues.
Russian authorities have also signaled possible restrictions on the Telegram app. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the platform must comply with Russian laws to avoid a complete block.
The deputy chairman of the parliamentary information policy committee, Andrey Svintsov, indicated that Roskomnadzor has the technical capabilities to restrict access to Telegram even through the use of virtual private networks (VPNs).
According to ISW, the Kremlin may be accelerating internet censorship to prevent domestic discontent and isolate society before potentially unpopular decisions, such as increasing military mobilization. Analysts note that these measures may also be related to preparations for the parliamentary elections in Russia in September 2026.
The campaign includes attempts to promote the use of state-owned applications, restrict foreign online platforms and persecute critics of the government. Part of the Russian online space has already reacted negatively to these actions, with some Telegram channels describing them as “madness“.
Meanwhile, Western partners continue to provide military support to Ukraine. The Speaker of the German Bundestag, Yulia Kloeckner, announced in a speech to the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada on March 11 that Germany would provide an additional 200 million euros to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, including for reconnaissance drones and civil defense.