By Blessing Nweke
Top U.S. officials and a Ukrainian delegation met in Florida on Sunday for the latest round of negotiations aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides describing the discussions as productive but withholding specifics.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking briefly to reporters after the session, said “much work remains,” but emphasized that “additional progress was made” during what he called a constructive round of talks. Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff led the U.S. side, joined by Jared Kushner, an unofficial adviser to President Donald Trump. Ukraine’s delegation was headed by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
Rubio framed the negotiations as focused not only on ending the conflict but on helping Ukraine secure long-term security and economic growth. “We don’t just want to end the war; we also want to help Ukraine be safe forever,” he said, adding that future prosperity was a central theme of the dialogue.
Umerov echoed the sentiment, thanking the United States for its support and calling the meeting “productive” and “successful.” He said the delegations discussed “all the important matters” for Ukraine and its people.
The talks follow earlier discussions this month in Geneva on a potential peace framework. Trump reportedly pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider proposals that would have granted Russia additional Ukrainian territory, though Kyiv has maintained it will not accept terms that compromise sovereignty.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he had been briefed by Rubio and Witkoff, noting that “both countries want the war to end.” He referred to Ukraine’s “difficult little problems,” clarifying he was speaking about a corruption scandal that led to the resignation of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff on Friday.
Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow in the coming days, while Zelenskyy is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday as diplomatic efforts continue
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