Key Points
- Ukrainian delegation led by Rustem Umerov meets Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner in Florida on November 30
- Zelenskyy says “honorable end to war is possible,” calling US approach “constructive”
- Putin states US peace plan “could form basis” for negotiations but demands Ukrainian troop withdrawal
- Revised peace plan reportedly reduced from 28 to about 20 points, addressing some European concerns
- Trump plan includes limits on Ukraine’s military size, blocks NATO membership, requires elections within 100 days
- Russian strikes continue with missiles and drones on Kyiv, killing civilians as talks proceed
- US delegation expected to visit Moscow soon for follow-up talks with Putin
A high-level Ukrainian delegation arrived in the United States on Saturday to engage in critical discussions on the Trump administration’s peace plan, with Sunday’s meeting scheduled at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. The delegation, now led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov after President Zelenskyy’s chief of staff resigned amid a corruption scandal, includes head of military intelligence Kyrylo Budanov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and armed forces head Andrii Hnatov.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Trump’s Special Representative Steve Witkoff, and senior advisor Jared Kushner will represent the American side in these crucial negotiations. The meeting builds upon discussions held in Geneva on November 23, where US and Ukrainian representatives, along with European partners, drafted an updated peace framework that both sides described as showing “meaningful progress”.
Zelenskyy Says, “A Dignified End to the War is Possible”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the peace process in a post on X on Sunday, stating that the United States is showing a constructive approach and that an honorable end to the war is possible in the coming days. Zelenskyy wrote that further talks will now take place in the US based on the Geneva meetings, emphasizing that the Ukrainian delegation has the necessary guidelines and will proceed according to national priorities.
Zelenskyy stated, “Ukraine and the United States are working together toward a solution, and the outcome of the Geneva meetings will now be decided in the United States”. He added that Ukraine continues to work with America as constructively as possible, and they expect the results of the Geneva meetings to be finalized during the US talks. The Ukrainian leader stressed that global support and constructive engagement from the US were critical to progress, while acknowledging that work remains to finalize the plan.
The Outcome of the Geneva Talks Will Be Decided in the United States
The Geneva talks, held on November 23, involved representatives from the United States, Ukraine, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and resulted in an updated peace framework that addressed many of Kyiv’s concerns. European leaders helped remove provisions that would have required Ukraine to cede territory in Donbas, limit its armed forces, or grant blanket amnesty for Russian war crimes. Language barring NATO membership was also eliminated from the revised draft.
According to reports, the original 28-point plan has been shortened to about 20 points, though the exact provisions remain confidential. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the latest draft as “significantly modified,” while former US President Donald Trump indicated openness to the new direction, saying that “something good may be coming”. However, European partners remain concerned about being sidelined and have pushed for greater involvement in future negotiations.
Putin’s Warning and Peace Signal
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that the US ceasefire plan could become the basis for negotiations, but issued a stern warning that if Ukraine does not withdraw, Russia will escalate military action and seize territory. Speaking during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin stated, “If Ukrainian forces leave the territories they currently control, fighting will cease. If they choose not to withdraw, we will accomplish this through force”.
Putin characterized the US proposal as “a collection of topics proposed for dialogue” rather than a finalized agreement, but said, “Overall, we agree that it could form the basis for future agreements”. However, he insisted that Russia still wants international recognition of the areas it occupies, which currently constitute around one-fifth of Ukraine. The Russian leader also warned that Russia is ready for “serious talks” and that a US delegation could arrive in Moscow soon, setting the stage for direct negotiations with Putin.
Continued Russian Attacks Amid Diplomatic Efforts
This diplomatic initiative comes as Russia continues its military assault on Ukraine, with recent attacks involving dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones that killed three people and injured several others in Kyiv. The sustained attacks demonstrate Russia’s strategy of applying military pressure while diplomatic discussions proceed, with analysts suggesting Putin is attempting to outlast Western commitment to supporting Ukraine.
The United States has pressed Ukraine to accept its proposals, recognizing that refusing the plan could jeopardize American support, though direct threats of aid cuts have not been made. As negotiations continue, Ukrainian forces remain under strain along the eastern front, where they are outnumbered and facing intensified Russian pressure.
Critical Next Steps and Global Implications
The outcome of the Florida talks will be crucial for determining whether a ceasefire can be achieved before the end of 2025, with President Trump having previously set Thanksgiving as an informal deadline for progress. The meeting in Florida represents a critical juncture, as it will determine whether the refined peace framework can gain Ukrainian acceptance and form the basis for direct US-Russia negotiations in Moscow.
European allies, while relieved that some of their concerns have been addressed, continue to advocate for a seat at the table in future negotiations, emphasizing that any peace agreement must ensure Ukraine’s long-term security and sovereignty. The coming days will be decisive in determining whether the diplomatic momentum can translate into a sustainable peace agreement or whether the conflict will continue with renewed intensity.
