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Thursday, Dec 04, 2025
Outside the box.
Ukraine and U.S. Negotiators to Meet in Florida as Moscow Talks Falter
Washington hosts Kyiv delegation ahead of resumed contacts with Russia after Kremlin rejected previous peace proposal
Ukrainian and United States officials are scheduled to meet in Florida this week, the White House said, as part of a renewed diplomatic push following unsuccessful negotiations in Moscow with Russia.
The meeting aims to refine a U.S.-backed peace framework in light of the Kremlin’s rejection of earlier proposals.
The Florida discussions will bring together representatives from the U.S. — including special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner — with delegation members from Kyiv led by senior security official Rustem Umerov.
Their agenda is expected to revisit a revised 19-point peace plan first drafted in Geneva, with the goal of producing a version acceptable to both Kyiv and Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the upcoming meeting as an opportunity to ensure strong security guarantees and meaningful European backing for Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term stability.
The diplomatic effort follows a five-hour session in Moscow between U.S. envoys and President Vladimir Putin, which concluded without agreement.
Russia rejected terms involving territorial control and the status of occupied regions — core sticking points in the talks — prompting U.S. and Ukrainian officials to return to the drawing board.
A senior Russian aide characterised the session as “useful but inconclusive,” signalling that Moscow remains unwilling to commit to any peace terms under current conditions.
European allies, who have voiced concern over the initial peace draft’s perceived bias in favour of Moscow, have welcomed the renewed U.S.–Ukraine dialogue, calling it an opportunity to strengthen a multilateral settlement.
Leaders in Brussels have reiterated that any final agreement must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, security, and aspirations for a European future.
With fresh consultations in Florida, followed by another planned rendezvous in Moscow, Washington appears determined to sustain shuttle-style diplomacy — even as the war continues and fighting intensifies on multiple fronts.
The Florida meeting opens a critical new phase in the diplomatic effort.
Success will depend on Kyiv and its allies rallying around a unified text — and Moscow deciding whether it will abandon war aims in favour of a negotiated resolution.
The next move now lies with Russia.
The meeting aims to refine a U.S.-backed peace framework in light of the Kremlin’s rejection of earlier proposals.
The Florida discussions will bring together representatives from the U.S. — including special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner — with delegation members from Kyiv led by senior security official Rustem Umerov.
Their agenda is expected to revisit a revised 19-point peace plan first drafted in Geneva, with the goal of producing a version acceptable to both Kyiv and Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the upcoming meeting as an opportunity to ensure strong security guarantees and meaningful European backing for Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term stability.
The diplomatic effort follows a five-hour session in Moscow between U.S. envoys and President Vladimir Putin, which concluded without agreement.
Russia rejected terms involving territorial control and the status of occupied regions — core sticking points in the talks — prompting U.S. and Ukrainian officials to return to the drawing board.
A senior Russian aide characterised the session as “useful but inconclusive,” signalling that Moscow remains unwilling to commit to any peace terms under current conditions.
European allies, who have voiced concern over the initial peace draft’s perceived bias in favour of Moscow, have welcomed the renewed U.S.–Ukraine dialogue, calling it an opportunity to strengthen a multilateral settlement.
Leaders in Brussels have reiterated that any final agreement must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, security, and aspirations for a European future.
With fresh consultations in Florida, followed by another planned rendezvous in Moscow, Washington appears determined to sustain shuttle-style diplomacy — even as the war continues and fighting intensifies on multiple fronts.
The Florida meeting opens a critical new phase in the diplomatic effort.
Success will depend on Kyiv and its allies rallying around a unified text — and Moscow deciding whether it will abandon war aims in favour of a negotiated resolution.
The next move now lies with Russia.
