On November 30, US and Ukrainian officials had a discussion that both sides described as productive, substantial and progressive, marking an important shift in efforts to find peace with Russia after nearly four years of fierce conflict.
The meeting took place in Florida, chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with the focus on the peace roadmap that Washington is promoting.
Speaking after the meeting, Foreign Minister Rubio said he was still optimistic despite the reality of difficulties. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is to build a path to ensure Ukraine's "completely sovereignty and independence", while opening up a "more prosperous future than ever" for Kiev.
Two weeks earlier, the US had made an initial proposal - a controversial peace plan that was seen as favoring Russia. However, recent discussions between the two sides have helped adjust many key points.
Notably, the US delegation featured special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, showing the White House's special interest in this process.
Foreign Minister Rubio confirmed that Witkoff will fly to Moscow to continue the round of contacts with Russia. There are many factors moving, and there is clearly another side that has to participate in the process, he said, referring to Russias tough stance.
An important development on the negotiation day was the change of personnel on the Ukrainian side. Mr. Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security Council, has taken on the role of head of the new negotiation delegation after Mr. Andriy Yermak resigned in connection with the domestic corruption scandal. This is a change that is considered tactical for Kiev, in the context that they are having to resist military and political pressure.
I thank the US for listening, supporting and accompanying us, Umerov said at the meeting. After the meeting, he continued to describe the discussions as very effective, affirming that all of Ukraines core issues were raised and that Washington spent its support.
Ukraine's current situation is considered a " weight suspended". On the front, the Russian military continues to put pressure, while at home, Kiev is troubled by a major corruption investigation in the energy sector. People have to live in widespread power outages due to Russian missile attacks targeting the energy system.
President Zelensky warned last week that the country was at the most difficult time since the start of the conflict, but he insists Ukraine will not sign a bad deal.
Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya, the first Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine and a member of the negotiation delegation, compared the peace process to a weather forecast: "It is unpredictable because just a small change in the chaotic system can lead to a huge result," he wrote on X network from Miami.
However, this negotiation round is considered one of the rare positive signals, opening up hope for a turning point for the peace process that has been delayed for many months. Both Mr. Unmerov and Mr. Rubio called this "the most constructive meeting" since the middle of the year.
The future of the peace roadmap will depend largely on Mr. Witkoff's upcoming meeting in Moscow.
