US and Ukraine officials meet in Florida to discuss proposals for ending war
London, UK, December 1, 2025
In a major diplomatic push aimed at finding an “endgame” to the prolonged conflict, US and Ukrainian officials convened for high-stakes talks in Florida to thoroughly discuss proposals for ending the devastating war.
The meeting, held near Miami, represents a critical juncture in the Washington-led peace initiative, coming just days before a US special envoy is scheduled to travel to Moscow for discussions with the Russian leadership.
While both American and Ukrainian delegations described the four-hour session as “productive,” they simultaneously cautioned that significant and delicate work remains before a viable peace settlement can be achieved.
The central focus of the negotiations was the revision of a sensitive US-authored peace framework, designed not just to cease hostilities but also to guarantee Ukraine’s long-term sovereignty and economic future.
The American delegation was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and notably included President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, underscoring the personal investment of the current US administration in brokering a resolution.
The Ukrainian side was headed by Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, a figure who now carries the immense weight of these negotiations, especially following recent high-level personnel changes in Kyiv.
The atmosphere of urgency surrounding the talks was heightened by recent Russian military attacks on Ukrainian cities and ongoing domestic political turbulence in Ukraine, including a significant corruption scandal.
The world waits anxiously, hoping these diplomatic efforts can successfully navigate the profound complexities and deeply entrenched positions of the parties involved.
Headline Points
Peace Framework Revised:
The Florida discussions centered on revising a US-authored peace framework, initially criticized for being too favorable to Russian demands, transitioning from a contentious 28-point draft to a more refined, though still unfinalized, proposal.
Moscow Visit Imminent:
The urgency of the talks is amplified by the forthcoming visit of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow, where he is expected to present the updated framework to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Focus on Sovereignty and Prosperity:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the goal extends beyond a mere ceasefire, focusing instead on securing a peace that leaves Ukraine “sovereign, independent, and with an opportunity at real prosperity.”
Ukrainian Delegation Changes:
The Ukrainian team is navigating the diplomatic tightrope amid domestic political instability, including the recent resignation of its former chief negotiator, highlighting the fragility of the political landscape in Kyiv.
Key Issues Remain Unresolved:
Sources close to the talks indicate that two fundamental questions—the future status of occupied territories and the nature of Ukraine’s long-term security guarantees—remain the most significant sticking points.
The meeting took place at a private club in Hallandale Beach, north of Miami, providing a secluded venue for the high-pressure dialogue.
Secretary Rubio made it clear that the ultimate goal of Washington’s diplomatic involvement is not simply a truce that freezes the conflict, but rather a mechanism for ending the war that fundamentally secures Ukraine’s future.
“This is not just about peace deals. It’s about creating a pathway forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and prosperous,” Rubio stated to reporters following the closed-door session, echoing the shift in emphasis toward economic reconstruction and robust security guarantees.
For Kyiv, the talks represent a delicate balancing act. While the Ukrainian government, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has expressed appreciation for the intensified American engagement, there remains deep public and political wariness regarding the content of the US proposals.
The initial 28-point plan, developed in earlier Washington-Moscow discussions, contained provisions that many Ukrainian and European officials viewed as unacceptable concessions, including potential limits on Ukraine’s military size and restrictions on its ambition to join the NATO alliance.
The current negotiations, therefore, are critical for the US to reassure its ally that the framework, now reportedly reduced to 19 points, safeguards Ukrainian interests and aligns with international law regarding territorial integrity.
Rustem Umerov, leading the Ukrainian delegation, conveyed a message aimed at both Washington and his domestic audience, stating they are discussing “the future of Ukraine, about the security of Ukraine, about no repetition of aggression… about how to rebuild Ukraine.”
This highlights Kyiv’s core priorities: a durable peace, concrete long-term security commitments from its allies, and massive investment for post-conflict reconstruction.
A key measure reportedly included in the revised framework is the creation of a Ukraine Development Fund, dedicated to investing in key sectors like technology, artificial intelligence, and the rebuilding of vital energy infrastructure, which has been repeatedly targeted during the conflict.
The US is also pushing for a commitment to jointly rebuild and operate Ukraine’s natural gas infrastructure, a measure intended to provide both energy security and economic stability.
The outcome of the Florida meeting has direct implications for the high-stakes talks scheduled for the coming week in Moscow. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will carry the refined proposals to the Kremlin, making the case for Moscow’s endorsement.
Diplomatic sources suggest that while the US has managed to address many of Ukraine’s qualms, the issues of territorial compromise and the precise nature of the security guarantees remain the most contentious.
Russia has, in the past, publicly rejected any peace plan that does not recognize its declared annexations, while Ukraine remains steadfast in its constitutional commitment to restoring all of its internationally recognized borders.
The diplomatic flurry—from Geneva to Florida, and now to Moscow—demonstrates the international pressure mounting on all sides to cease the nearly three-year-long war.
The fact that the US has invested such a high level of political capital suggests that a potential breakthrough, however fragile, is finally within reach, though the road to a lasting peace remains fraught with profound challenges and requires an extraordinary level of commitment and compromise from all major global actors.
