US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the latest round of talks with Ukraine on a possible peace deal was “productive”—but far from finished.
The meeting, held in Florida, brought together a Ukrainian team led by Rustem Umerov.
He is the country’s new chief negotiator after Andriy Yermak stepped down following an anti-corruption raid.
Why all this sudden movement? It kicked off after a leaked 28-point US peace proposal rattled Kyiv and its European partners for seeming too soft on Russia.
Since then, diplomacy hasn’t stopped for a minute. Rubio stressed that the talks aren’t just about ending gunfire.
“It’s about setting up Ukraine for long-term prosperity,” he said.
He added that Washington wants a peace deal that leaves Ukraine “sovereign, independent and prosperous.”
Umerov sounded cautiously optimistic, saying the US is “hearing” and “supporting” Ukraine.
Peace Talks Progress
Both sides are digging into issues like security guarantees and preventing future aggression.
He later called the meeting “productive and successful.”
Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, claimed the negotiations were “going along well” and hinted at a real chance for a deal.
His envoy, Steve Witkoff—possibly joined by Jared Kushner—is heading to Moscow next to pitch the reworked peace plan.
Zelensky, responding on social media, welcomed the “constructive dynamic,” emphasizing that Ukraine’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable.
In diplomacy, progress is slow—but at least this time, both sides walked away saying the same word: productive.
