HALLANDALE BEACH: US and Ukrainian officials met in Florida on Sunday to discuss outlines of a potential peace deal with Russia, aiming to end the more than three-year-long war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the talks were intended to create “a pathway forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and prosperous.”
Read More: US, Ukraine advance refined peace plan
The discussions come after roughly two weeks of negotiations that began with a US blueprint for peace, initially criticized for favoring Russia. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at not being able to end the war, claiming a strong personal rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s team reportedly pressed Ukraine to make significant concessions, including ceding territory to Russia.
A change in Ukraine’s negotiating team marked Sunday’s meeting, with Rustem Umerov, national security council secretary, taking over as chief negotiator after the resignation of Andriy Yermak amid a domestic corruption scandal. Umerov thanked the United States for its support, emphasizing the importance of close cooperation.
Final Chapter:
‼️ First footage has appeared from the Ukraine–US talks in Miami.
The report says that before the meeting, Secretary of State Rubio made a formal statement. He emphasized that this is not just about a peace agreement, but about creating a path that will keep… pic.twitter.com/qnfX0wodnr
— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) November 30, 2025
Representing the US, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were present, with Witkoff expected to meet Russian counterparts later this week. The talks took place at Shell Bay, a private club developed by Witkoff near Miami. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had said he hoped the outcomes of previous Geneva meetings would be finalized during Sunday’s discussions.
Meanwhile, Ukraine presented a counter-offer in Geneva addressing proposals laid out by US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll two weeks earlier. Facing domestic political pressure from a probe into energy sector corruption, Kyiv seeks to resist Moscow-friendly terms while Russian forces continue operations along the front lines.
Read More: US, Kyiv work on ‘refined’ peace plan to end war in Ukraine
The talks underscore the delicate balancing act for Ukraine in negotiating peace while maintaining sovereignty and addressing internal political challenges. Officials from both sides expressed cautious optimism for meaningful progress.