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A delegation from the Ukrainian government arrived in Florida this Sunday to meet with U.S. officials and advance the plan promoted by Donald Trump to seek a negotiated solution to the war, while Russia intensifies its attacks and Ukraine faces one of its most fragile political moments since the start of the invasion.
The meeting, held at the exclusive Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach—owned by the special envoy Steve Witkoff—brought together Secretary of State Marco Rubio, presidential advisor Jared Kushner, and the Ukrainian negotiating team led by Rustem Umerov, head of the National Security and Defense Council, according to information from CNN.
Rubio opened the session with a message aimed at easing the tensions generated by the initial versions of the plan, which were heavily criticized for favoring the demands of the Kremlin. "The ultimate goal is not just to end the war; it is to end it in a way that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent, and with the opportunity to thrive," he stated.
The Secretary of State continued by saying, according to a video shared by the account on X RapidResponse47 that “we want to see the end of suffering, of pain, of death. But it’s not just about a peace agreement; it’s about creating a path that ensures Ukraine never experiences a war like this again.”
Umerov responded by thanking the U.S. for its support, a message clearly aimed at Trump, who has questioned on several occasions the "lack of gratitude" from Kyiv. "The United States supports us. The United States works alongside us," he stated.
A questioned draft and rising pressures
The plan being discussed in Florida is a revised version of the original 28-point document prepared last month by Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy. This initial draft, presented without the involvement of Ukraine's European allies, included deep concessions to Russia: the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from cities in the Donbas, restrictions on its military, and a commitment not to join NATO. It would also effectively recognize Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea as Russian territories, as reported by The Guardian.
The preliminary meeting over the weekend in Switzerland introduced significant changes following strong opposition from Ukrainian and European officials, who insisted that any territorial discussion must begin from the current front lines and that no territory taken by force can be recognized.
Despite the adjustments, the Kremlin maintains the pressure. Putin has reiterated that the war will only end “when the Ukrainian troops withdraw from the territories they occupy,” while his adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed receiving the latest version of the plan, which he described as “complex” and in need of thorough analysis.
Witkoff, for his part, will travel to Moscow in the coming days to present the revised proposal.
Ukraine in political shock and under Russian fire
The negotiations are taking place at an extremely delicate moment for Kiev. The powerful chief of staff to Zelensky, Andriy Yermak—who has been the main negotiator with Washington—resigned on Friday following a search of his home in a corruption case. His departure has added uncertainty just as Ukraine faces a Russian offensive that has led to massive blackouts and the destruction of vital infrastructure.
Ukraine has also intensified its offensive actions. A security source in Kiev stated that two oil tankers sailing off the coast of Turkey, which were allegedly transporting Russian oil covertly, were struck by Ukrainian naval drones.
"I will not betray the country," Zelensky promises
Internal fragility also weighs on the negotiations. Zelensky has acknowledged that his country is experiencing "one of the most difficult moments in its history" and has promised Ukrainians that he will not compromise on fundamental principles. However, influential voices within the state itself question any hasty arrangement.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former commander-in-chief and now ambassador to the United Kingdom—and a potential political rival of Zelensky—warned that "a hasty peace would only lead to a devastating defeat and a loss of independence." He stated that any agreement must include effective security guarantees.
Europe is also applying pressure. French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with Zelensky in Paris this Monday, while his Chancellor, Jean-Noël Barrot, stated that “peace is within reach if Putin abandons his dream of rebuilding the Soviet empire.”
Still, Rubio insisted on his most recent message: “This is not just an attempt to end the war, but to ensure that Ukraine never experiences something like this again and can enter a phase of true prosperity.”
For now, while the bombs continue to fall and diplomacy tries to make its way through the ruins, the prevailing question in Ukraine and beyond is whether these talks in Florida are bringing us closer to peace or simply postponing another phase of a conflict that has already lasted three years.
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