Rubio: “Progress Is Being Made, but Talks Remain Difficult”

The United States and Ukraine held productive talks in Florida on a possible peace plan with Russia. Reuters reports that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there has been movement forward, but stressed that the path to an agreement remains challenging.

Rubio met with the Ukrainian delegation in Hallandale Beach, where the talks took place in his home state. According to the secretary, the aim of the meeting was to define a course that will ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.

“We realistically assess the complexity of the process, but we are optimistic, especially in light of the progress. There is a shared vision that this is not only about ending the war, but also about Ukraine’s future — more successful than ever,”

– Rubio said after the meeting.

President Trump Expresses Frustration with Delays

The talks in Florida followed a series of earlier meetings based on an updated U.S. peace plan. Critics had previously noted that the initial version of the plan was allegedly too favorable to Russia.

President Donald Trump, who promised to end the war “in one day,” expressed disappointment that the conflict has not yet been stopped. He said that both Ukraine and Russia want peace and added that the chance for an agreement still exists.

Change of Head of the Ukrainian Negotiating Team

The Ukrainian delegation was led by a new chief negotiator — NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov. He replaced Andriy Yermak, who resigned following a corruption scandal in Ukraine.

During the meeting Umerov thanked the United States for its support and emphasized that Washington continues to stand with Ukraine. After the talks he described the meeting as productive.

“We discussed all issues important to Ukraine, and the United States was extremely supportive,”

– Umerov said.

Next Steps in the Talks: Witkoff’s Trip to Moscow

Present at the talks were U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump adviser Jared Kushner. Witkoff said he will travel to Moscow on Monday for further consultations with the Russian side.

“There is still a lot of work ahead. There are many moving parts in the process, and there is another party that must be included in the framework of an agreement,”

– Rubio noted.

Context: Pressure on Ukraine and an Internal Crisis

Trump’s team, according to Reuters, continues to demand significant concessions from Kyiv, including the transfer of some territories to Russia. The Ukrainian leadership, meanwhile, is facing a political crisis due to a high-profile anti-corruption investigation in the energy sector.

President Volodymyr Zelensky previously said he will not allow a “bad deal” and warned that the country is experiencing its toughest moment since the start of the war, including massive Russian strikes on the energy infrastructure.

Preliminary Consultations in Geneva

Before the meeting in Florida, the parties held talks in Geneva, where the Ukrainian team presented its own response to the U.S. peace proposals. According to Reuters, those consultations formed the basis for further discussions on November 30.

The Ukrainian delegation also included First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia, who reminded that the negotiation process is like weather forecasting, where “minor changes can lead to major consequences.”