Ukrainian Delegation Heads to U.S. for Peace Talks with Rubio, Witkoff

A high-level delegation from Ukraine is traveling to the United States for critical negotiations, following a shake-up at the top of Kyiv’s leadership. The talks, slated for this Sunday in Florida, will bring together Ukrainian officials and key U.S. figures — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

New Faces, Renewed Effort

The delegation is now led by Rustem Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine’s Security Council. He replaces former presidential staff chief Andriy Yermak — who stepped down after an anti-corruption investigation triggered by a raid on his home.

Yermak’s absence marks the third senior exit tied to the energy-sector scandal. The departures have intensified domestic pressure and cast a spotlight on Kyiv’s political stability — even as the war grinds on.

The U.S. Push for Diplomacy

The Florida meeting aims to advance a U.S.-backed peace framework designed to end the war against Russia — a plan that has already stirred diplomatic debate.

According to the revised draft, the plan would place limitations on the size of Ukraine’s armed forces, bar its membership in NATO, and set out conditions for holding elections within 100 days.

Critics argue the initial version of the proposal — which Kyiv rejected — leaned heavily toward Russian demands. Some of its controversial provisions included recognizing Russian control over contested regions and imposing stringent restrictions on Ukraine’s sovereignty.

U.S. officials — including Rubio — maintain the draft is a “framework” to be negotiated and adjusted, not a final blueprint. They insist it incorporates input from both Ukraine and Russia, calling it a starting point for diplomacy.

Stakes and Outlook

For Ukraine, the stakes are high. The war continues to inflict heavy human and infrastructural tolls. Meanwhile, political turmoil at home threatens to weaken Kyiv’s negotiating position. Observers warn the new delegation must tread carefully — balancing the urgent demand for peace with preserving the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.