Florida: Top US and Ukrainian officials convened on Sunday, marking the session as both "productive" and "successful" as they continue to negotiate a peace plan to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to Anadolu Agency, the talks included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, who met with the Ukrainian delegation led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. The meeting, held in Florida, emphasized not only the end of the war but also the rebuilding of Ukraine into a stronger and more prosperous nation.
Rubio noted the complexities involved, stating that a resolution requires Russia's involvement. Diplomatic efforts are set to continue with Witkoff's upcoming visit to Moscow, where he aims to further understand Russia's perspective on the matter. While acknowledging the difficulties, the US remains optimistic about achieving a resolution.
On the Ukrainian side, Umerov expressed confidence in the prospect of a "prosperous, strong Ukraine," with the US being "super supportive" of their goals. He highlighted the progress made in previous discussions held in Geneva and reiterated the success of the current talks. Umerov updated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the negotiations' outcomes, noting substantial advancements toward peace.
Umerov emphasized that Kyiv's main objectives-security, sovereignty, and peace-are shared by the US and will guide future consultations aimed at aligning a joint framework solution. He stated that the Ukrainian delegation remains in constant contact with President Zelenskyy, ensuring the dialogue remains focused on safeguarding Ukrainian interests.
President Zelenskyy, via social media platform X, acknowledged the importance of the constructive dialogue, expressing gratitude to President Trump's team for their dedication to ending the conflict. He looks forward to further reports and continued efforts.
Prior to the meeting, Rubio emphasized that the discussions were aimed at establishing a mechanism that not only ends the war but also ensures Ukraine's independence and future prosperity. Umerov thanked the US for its support, focusing talks on Ukraine's security, prosperity, and preventing future aggression.
As discussions proceeded, Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya described the meeting's atmosphere as warm and conducive to progress. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Umerov, included high-ranking officials such as Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov and Foreign Intelligence Service head Oleg Ivashchenko, among others.
The US delegation, led by Kushner and Witkoff, plans to travel to Russia for further discussions. While working on the Ukrainian settlement plan, the US administration has refrained from releasing specific details as negotiations continue. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has expressed openness to negotiations, committing to a diplomatic resolution.