Ukrainian and U.S. Officials Hold Talks in Florida on Draft Framework to End War

Reuters

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov and other members of a Ukrainian delegation in Florida, 30 November 2025.

Ukrainian negotiators met senior U.S. officials in Florida to discuss Washington’s proposed framework for ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, as Kyiv faces mounting military and political pressures.

The meeting, held on Sunday at the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, brought together U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, senior adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump. They met with a Ukrainian delegation ahead of planned U.S. talks in Moscow this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, posted a photograph of the meeting on X, saying discussions focused on “steps toward achieving a just peace”.

Diplomats reviewed revisions to a proposed 28-point plan drafted during earlier U.S.–Russia negotiations. The initial document had drawn criticism for being overly favourable to Moscow. Rubio sought to reassure Ukrainian officials, stating that Washington’s goal was “an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent, and with an opportunity for real prosperity”.

The U.S. has since scaled back elements of the proposal following objections from Kyiv and European partners. While the latest version has not been published, Ukraine and its allies insist that territorial discussions must start from the current frontline, that no territory seized by force can be recognised as Russian, and that decisions regarding EU or NATO membership must remain sovereign to Kyiv.

The talks come at a turbulent moment for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted the resignation of his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, after a corruption investigation. Yermak had been the lead negotiator with U.S. officials. The Ukrainian delegation in Florida included Armed Forces Commander Andrii Hnatov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Umerov.

Ukraine continues to face sustained Russian attacks. At least six people were killed and dozens wounded across the country over the weekend, including one fatality in a drone strike on the outskirts of Kyiv. A Ukrainian security source also said Kyiv was behind naval drone strikes on two oil tankers off Türkiye’s Black Sea coast believed to be transporting sanctioned Russian oil.

Zelenskyy recently described the situation as one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine’s modern history but pledged that he would “not betray” the country.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is due to meet Zelenskyy in Paris on Monday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said peace was “within reach” if Russia accepts a ceasefire, warning that Moscow could otherwise face further sanctions and intensified European support for Ukraine.

Source: The Guardian



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