U.S. and Ukraine Report “Tangible Progress” in Florida Peace Talks, But A Long Road Remains

HALLANDALE, Florida – Top American and Ukrainian officials concluded a critical round of negotiations in Florida on November 30, characterizing the talks as a significant step toward a peace plan to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, though both sides acknowledged that formidable obstacles remain and that Russia’s involvement is the critical next step.

The meeting, held in Hallandale just north of Miami, represents an acceleration of diplomatic efforts to bridge the gap between Kyiv and Moscow. It builds upon a previous session in Geneva and comes amid a flurry of international calls aimed at coordinating a Western position.

Cautious Optimism from Negotiators

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a cautiously optimistic tone following the closed-door session. “We had another very productive session, building off [talks in] Geneva, building off the events of this week, but there’s more work to be done,” Rubio told reporters, without delving into specifics. He acknowledged the complexity of the process, stating, “There are a lot of moving parts, and obviously there’s another party involved here that will have to be a part of the equation.”

Rubio confirmed that White House special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Moscow in the coming days—his sixth meeting with President Vladimir Putin since January—to present the refined proposals and gauge the Kremlin’s position. “We’ve also been in touch in varying degrees with the Russian side, but we have a pretty good understanding of their views as well,” Rubio added.

Echoing this sentiment, Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s security council secretary and head of its delegation, hailed the negotiations in a Telegram post as “meaningful and successful.” He reported “tangible progress toward establishing a just peace,” but cautioned, “There is still a lot of work to be done—we continue to consult and agree on further steps for the sake of peace for Ukraine.”

The positive public statements, however, belied the difficulty of the discussions. Agence France-Presse quoted an unnamed source close to the Ukrainian team as saying the talks were “not easy” and that “the search for formulations and solutions continues.”

A Plan Forged from Compromise

The current diplomatic push was triggered by the release of a 28-point plan by Trump administration officials last week. The proposal, which reportedly echoed many of Moscow’s long-standing hard-line demands, was viewed with alarm in Kyiv and by European allies. For many Ukrainians, it amounted to a call for capitulation after a nearly four-year war that has resulted in well over a million casualties on both sides.

The initial U.S. plan reportedly included terms such as committing Ukraine to permanent neutrality, effectively ending its aspirations to join NATO, and ceding control of the occupied territories in the Donbas and Crimea. The proposal sparked immediate backlash, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said to have been angered by its contents.

This prompted the emergency talks in Geneva, which have now been followed up by the Florida session. The negotiations have since yielded a refined 19-point plan that leaves several of the most contentious issues on the table for further discussion. Key unresolved points include:

• The final status of the occupied territories in the Donbas region.

• The future of Ukraine’s ambition to join NATO.

• Potential caps on the size and capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Zelenskyy Coordinates with Allies Amid Domestic Turmoil

President Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the American posture in the talks. Early on November 30, he wrote on social media that “the American side is demonstrating a constructive approach, and in the coming days it is feasible to flesh out the steps to determine how to bring the war to a dignified end.”

He later revealed he had spoken with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to help “coordinate positions” among Ukraine’s key allies. “We maintain full coordination with the European Commission, and I’m grateful for the support,” Zelenskyy said after his call with von der Leyen.

The diplomatic offensive unfolds against a backdrop of severe domestic political crisis for Zelenskyy. The week was dominated by the resignation of a key aide, following raids by anti-corruption investigators. The scandal, which involves alleged kickbacks connected to funds for defending Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, has already led to the dismissal of two ministers and represents the most significant political challenge of Zelenskyy’s presidency.

Military and Diplomatic Fronts Remain Active

As diplomats talked, military and intelligence operations continued unabated. Ukraine has recently intensified its campaign of targeting oil and energy facilities inside Russia, aiming to disrupt the Kremlin’s war-funding capabilities. In a related development, Ukraine’s main intelligence agency released video purporting to show maritime drones attacking two Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Black Sea. This shadow fleet, a global network of ships with murky ownership, is used by Moscow to export oil while circumventing Western sanctions.

Looking ahead, French authorities announced that President Emmanuel Macron, one of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters, will host Zelenskyy in Paris on December 1 to discuss “the conditions for a just and lasting peace.” This meeting underscores the European Union’s desire to remain a central player in the peace process and ensure any final plan aligns with European security interests.

The path to peace remains fraught with uncertainty. While the Florida talks have generated a fragile momentum, the upcoming mission of Envoy Witkoff to Moscow will be the first real test of whether the Kremlin is prepared to engage seriously with a plan that has already been significantly altered from one that initially appeared to favor its positions.

 

 

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