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U.S. and Ukrainian officials held more than four hours of talks in Florida on November 30, 2025, in the latest attempt to discuss and refine the U.S.-proposed peace plan before Washington engages directly with Moscow.

The meeting brought together U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump adviser Jared Kushner, along with a Ukrainian delegation led by National Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, Kyiv’s new chief negotiator.

The talks were centered on a revised version of the 28-point U.S. peace plan, which was unveiled two weeks ago and drew criticism in Kyiv and European capitals for appearing too favorable to Russia.

The initial plan limited Ukraine’s military size, barred NATO membership, and required elections within 100 days. Local media reported that Sunday’s discussions included election timelines and potential territorial arrangements, although no specifics were released.

Rubio said the session was “productive” but emphasized that significant work remains. “It’s not just about the terms that end fighting,” he said. “It’s also about the terms that set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity. I think we built on that today, but there’s more work to be done.”

.@SecRubio on Ukraine peace talks in Florida: "This is not just about ending a war. This is about ending a war in a way that creates a mechanism and a way forward that will allow them to be independent and sovereign [and] never have another war again." pic.twitter.com/2oEGtelFSM

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 30, 2025

Ukraine’s New Negotiator Leader

Umerov took over as Ukraine’s chief negotiator after Andriy Yermak resigned on Friday, following an anti-corruption raid on his home. The shake-up in Kyiv has added new political pressure as Ukrainian officials attempt to secure long-term security guarantees while managing domestic scrutiny.

Speaking at the opening of the talks, Umerov outlined Ukraine’s core priorities: “We are discussing about the future of Ukraine, about the security of Ukraine, about no repetition of aggression of Ukraine, about prosperity of Ukraine, about how to rebuild Ukraine.” He later described the meeting as “productive and successful,” adding, “U.S. is hearing us. U.S. is supporting us. U.S. is working beside us.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, writing on social media, stressed the need for open discussions “with a clear focus on ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and national interests,” and expressed gratitude to the U.S. and President Donald Trump for ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Progress before Moscow Talks

The Florida meeting precedes Witkoff’s planned trip to Moscow, where he is expected to meet Putin and Russian officials to discuss the peace plan’s latest revisions. Trump said aboard Air Force One that the talks were “going along well” and that “there’s a good chance we can make a deal,” though he also acknowledged that Ukraine faces “difficult little problems,” referring to the corruption scandal.

Rubio noted that progress in the U.S.-Ukraine talks must be matched by engagement with Russia. “There are a lot of moving parts, and obviously there’s another party involved here … that will have to be part of the equation,” he said. “That will continue later this week, when Mr. Witkoff travels to Moscow.”

Trump has previously said he expected to end the war quickly, arguing that his personal relationship with Putin could facilitate negotiations. However, Moscow has maintained firm territorial demands, and diplomats say the issue of land Russia has annexed or controls remains one of the most difficult unresolved questions.

Ukraine Pushes Back on the Battlefield

The Florida talks come as Ukraine continues to counter Russian forces on multiple fronts nearly four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed or injured, and more than seven million Ukrainians have been displaced.

The conflict’s roots stretch back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine after the ousting of a pro-Russian government in Kyiv.

A source close to the Ukrainian delegation said that Sunday’s talks were “not easy,” but said “everyone is trying to be constructive and find a solution.”

Alongside military pressures, Kyiv is confronting renewed domestic scrutiny following the anti-corruption investigation that prompted Yermak’s resignation. Despite this, Ukrainian officials say they remain focused on securing security guarantees and a sustainable settlement.

European Diplomacy Intensifies

Zelenskyy is scheduled to travel to Paris on Monday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, a strong backer of Kyiv. European allies have been closely monitoring the U.S. peace initiative, particularly after the leak of the original plan triggered concern that Washington might pressure Ukraine into major concessions.

As diplomatic efforts accelerate, the United States is attempting to balance Ukrainian concerns, Russian demands, and the need to preserve Ukraine’s long-term sovereignty. Rubio said the aim is clear: to leave Ukraine “sovereign, independent and prosperous.”

More negotiations are expected later this week when U.S. officials arrive in Moscow for talks with Putin, marking the next phase of what has become an intense diplomatic push to end the war.