Top U.S. and Ukrainian officials convened in Florida on Sunday for high-level discussions aimed at advancing a potential framework to end the ongoing war with Russia. While both sides described the meeting as “productive,” no specific details were released, and reporters were not permitted to ask questions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff, emphasized that the talks were focused not only on ending the conflict but also on ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security and economic prosperity.
“Much work remains, but today was a very productive and useful session where additional progress was made,” Rubio said in brief remarks. He added, “We don’t just want to end the war; we also want Ukraine to be safe forever and enter an era of true prosperity.”
The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. Umerov echoed Rubio’s comments, highlighting the goal of establishing a strong and prosperous Ukraine.
Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and an unofficial adviser, also attended the meeting. Trump later told reporters aboard Air Force One that Rubio and Witkoff were “doing well” in their discussions, noting that Ukraine faces “difficult little problems,” a reference to recent corruption-related developments in the country.
Earlier in the week, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yerma, resigned following an anti-corruption raid, adding further complexity to ongoing peace negotiations. Zelenskyy confirmed that Umerov briefed him on Sunday’s talks but provided no specifics, emphasizing the importance of protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and national interests.
The Florida meeting follows prior discussions in Geneva, where U.S. and Ukrainian officials reviewed a potential peace framework. Ukraine has consistently called for future security guarantees, while Russia has demanded territorial concessions and opposed Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.
Looking ahead, Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow for talks with Russian officials, while Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. U.S. officials, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, are also anticipated to engage with Ukrainian and Russian counterparts as diplomatic efforts continue.
