Ukraine talks ‘productive’ but more work needed, Rubio says
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said talks with Ukraine on a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war were productive but there was “more work to be done.”
A Ukrainian delegation led by Ukraine’s new chief negotiator, National Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, attended the talks held in Florida.
Also at the meeting were President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Witkoff will visit Moscow for talks next week.
Umerov replaced Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president’s chief negotiator, who resigned following an anti-corruption raid on his home.
Sunday’s meeting is the final step of two weeks of intense diplomatic activities.
This incident was sparked by the leak of the 28-point US peace plan, which shocked Ukraine and its European allies because they appeared to support Russia, which invaded Ukraine nearly four years ago.
“It’s not just about the circumstances that ended the fight,” Rubio said at the meeting in Hallandale Beach, north of Miami.
“It’s also about the conditions that ensure Ukraine’s long-term prosperity… I think we’re building on that today, but there’s more work to be done.”
He also told the Ukrainian delegation that the goal of peace talks with Russia was to leave Ukraine “sovereign, independent and prosperous.”
As Sunday’s talks began, Umerov said: “We are discussing the future of Ukraine, Ukraine’s security, non-recurrence of Ukraine’s aggression, Ukraine’s prosperity and how to rebuild Ukraine.”
“The USA hears us,” he said, speaking in English. “The USA supports us. The USA works with us.”
He later described the talks as “productive and successful,” while Rubio said the talks were “very productive and helpful.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said talks were “going well” and there was a good chance a deal would be struck to end the conflict.
Trump has previously said he would send Witkoff and possibly Kushner to Moscow this week to discuss a greatly revised peace plan with President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his post on social media: “It is important that the talks have a constructive dynamic and all issues are discussed openly and with a clear focus on securing Ukraine’s sovereignty and national interests.”
He added that he was grateful to the United States and Trump for their efforts to end the war.
One of the major unresolved issues is the fate of Ukrainian territories annexed or controlled by Russia.
A source said to be close to the Ukrainian delegation told AFP news agency that the talks in Florida were “not easy”.
“But everyone is trying to be constructive and find a solution,” the source added.
Zelensky will visit Paris on Monday to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, a strong ally.
In addition to tens of thousands of soldiers, thousands of civilians were killed or injured. At least seven million people became refugees Since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022.
The conflict between the two former Soviet states dates back to 2014, when Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was overthrown and Russia responded by annexing Crimea and supporting armed uprisings in eastern Ukraine.
