Ukrainian negotiators are preparing to meet with senior US officials in Florida to finalize elements of Washington’s proposed framework to end the Russian war.
The meeting, scheduled for Sunday (November 30), is to precede planned US discussions in Moscow later this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US delegation
The US team will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. He is expected to present an updated version of Washington’s proposal after weeks of criticism from Kiev and European capitals that the original framework was too tilted in Moscow’s favor.
The Florida round follows US-Ukraine talks last weekend in Switzerland, led by Rubio and Ukrainian negotiators.
Revised draft after opposition
The original 28-point plan — drawn up last month by Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Witkoff — sought major concessions from Kiev, including a withdrawal from Donbas cities, a reduction in the size of Ukraine’s military and a pledge not to join NATO. It would also effectively recognize Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea.
After intense pushing, the draft was reduced to 19 points. Kiev and its European partners insist that any territorial discussion must start from the current front line and that no territory occupied by Russia can be legitimized. He also claims that Ukraine must retain full sovereignty over decisions about EU and NATO membership.
Zelensky: Talks should be “beaten”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expected the results of recent meetings in Geneva with the US to now be “hammered out” in Florida.
The Ukrainian delegation will include Andrii Hnatov, the head of the armed forces, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the head of the Security Council Rustem Umerov.
Political turbulence in Kyiv
The talks are taking place at a time of internal upheaval in Kyiv. Zelenskyi’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak – who was the chief negotiator with the US – resigned on Friday after anti-corruption officials searched his apartment as part of a kickback investigation.
His departure adds further uncertainty to Ukraine’s diplomatic strategy as it approaches one of the most consequential rounds of negotiations since the 2022 invasion.
