U.S. Diplomats Meet Ukrainian Delegation in Florida as Peace Talks Gain Momentum

Officials from the U.S. administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, are meeting with top Ukrainian negotiators in West Palm Beach, Florida, in a renewed effort to broker a peace agreement to end Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Key Players, Key Timing

The Ukrainian delegation — now led by figures such as Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Armed Forces Chief Andrii Hnatov — flew to Florida following the resignation of former chief negotiator Andrii Yermak. Yermak stepped down after an energy‑sector corruption scandal involving the alleged embezzlement of roughly $100 million, a development that has shaken confidence in Ukraine’s negotiating team.

On the U.S. side, Witkoff — along with Rubio and senior adviser Jared Kushner — are leading talks. The meetings in Florida are seen as a precursor to a possible visit to Moscow, where Witkoff and Kushner may engage directly with Russian leadership.

The Controversial Peace Plan

At the center of these negotiations is a 28‑point peace plan, originally drafted with input from both U.S. and Russian officials. The plan — widely criticized for heavily favouring Moscow — would require Ukraine to cede significant territories, including the entire Donbas region, and limit the size of its armed forces.

While the plan is presented as a “diplomatic framework,” many see it as tantamount to a “wish list” for Russia. Critics argue it rewards Moscow’s aggression and undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Yet U.S. officials insist the proposal — authored by Washington — was meant to serve as a starting point for negotiations, not a final agreement. Rubio has defended the plan as a framework for talks that reflects previous and ongoing input from Ukraine.

Urgency Amid Ongoing Conflict

The timing of the Florida meetings comes amid a renewed surge of violence. Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas have recently resulted in civilian casualties and widespread damage — underlining the urgency of diplomatic efforts.

Ukrainian leaders now face a delicate calculation: whether to negotiate under pressure while managing domestic instability, or hold out for stronger terms — knowing that each day brings more suffering to civilians.

What Comes Next

If talks in Florida yield progress, U.S. envoys may travel to Moscow to engage with Russian officials directly. The hope, for now, is that both sides will agree on a workable framework to end the war.