Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal: Talks ‘Productive’ But More Work Needed, Says US Secy Rubio | World News
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said talks with Ukraine on a potential deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war were productive but “more work needs to be done.” The talks took place in Florida with a Ukrainian delegation led by national security council secretary Rustem Umerov, the country’s new chief negotiator.
Also present were President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Witkoff is scheduled to visit Moscow for talks next week.
According to local media reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously appointed Umerov as the new head of Ukraine’s delegation to hold peace talks with the United States, other partners and Russia.
Add Zee News as Preferred Source
“Rustem presented a report today and the task is clear: to quickly and fundamentally resolve the steps necessary to end the war,” Zelensky said. he said.
Sunday’s meeting marks the latest development in two weeks of intense diplomatic relations triggered by the leak of a 28-point US peace plan that alarmed Ukraine and its European allies over appearing to support Russia, which launched its invasion nearly four years ago.
The previous round of talks between US and Ukrainian officials was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 23.
US President Donald Trump said the peace plan had been “fine-tuned” with input from both sides and that he would send envoys to the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to finalize the deal. He said he looked forward to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky “only when the agreement to end this war is final or is in its final stages.”
Trump initially set a Thanksgiving deadline for Ukraine to accept the deal but later indicated he would give more time if progress continued.
Meanwhile, conflicts continue. While Trump said 25,000 soldiers were killed last month, Russia continued its attacks on Kiev with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles on Tuesday.
