On Sunday (November 30), US Secretary of State Rubio and other senior US government officials held a meeting with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida to further discuss and finalize the details of the proposed peace framework. This meeting aims to lay the foundation for the upcoming talks between the US and Russia in a few days.
The US team’s main members included Secretary of State Rubio, President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Witkoff and Kushner played important roles in the US Gaza peace plan.
Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian delegation was led by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, and included Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Andrii Hnatov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Sunday’s meeting in Florida marked the latest in a series of intense diplomatic activities between the US and Ukraine this month. The two sides held talks in Geneva, Switzerland last Sunday (November 23) and made significant progress. As a result of this meeting, a renewed and improved peace framework was drafted.
Zelensky stated in a speech on Saturday (November 29) evening that the US side was showing a “constructive attitude”.
“In the coming days, (both sides) may outline specific steps to determine how to end this war honorably,” he said.
US Secretary of State Rubio told the media at the start of the meeting on Sunday,
The goal of this meeting is not only to end the war but also to pave a path for Ukraine towards sovereignty, independence, and prosperity.
Rubio said that the delegations of both sides will continue their efforts on the basis of progress made.
“The ultimate goal is obviously not just ending the war, of course, ending the war is the core and fundamental. We want to see an end to the killings, deaths, and suffering. I am sure Ukraine does too. They long for peace,” Rubio said. “This meeting is aimed at ending the war in a way that establishes mechanisms and directions for progress, enabling Ukraine to maintain its independence and sovereignty, never to experience war again, and to create immense prosperity for its people, not just rebuilding the country, but entering an extraordinary era of economic development.”
“So we expect to make more progress today,” he said. He also pointed out that Ukraine has “enormous economic potential”.
Ukrainian negotiator Umerov told the media, “We are discussing Ukraine’s future, Ukraine’s security, how to prevent Ukraine from being invaded again, Ukraine’s prosperity, and how to rebuild Ukraine. We appreciate the efforts made by the United States and their team for us.”