• Secretary of State meets Ukrainian delegation for four hours in Florida
• Trump envoy Witkoff heads to Moscow this week for Putin meeting
• Talks come amid Ukraine corruption scandal that ousted lead negotiator

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL (TDR) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that high-level negotiations with Ukrainian officials were productive but acknowledged significant work remains before a peace deal can end the nearly four-year war with Russia.

The four-hour session in Florida represents the latest push by the Trump administration to broker an end to Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.

Ukraine Peace Talks Focus on Long-Term Prosperity

Rubio emphasized that negotiations extend beyond simply stopping the fighting. The American delegation sought to reassure Ukraine that any agreement would preserve its sovereignty and future stability.

“It’s not just about the terms that end fighting. It’s about also the terms that set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity. I think we built on that today, but there’s more work to be done.”

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The Secretary of State was joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, at the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach (NPR). The Florida negotiations followed productive Geneva talks held just one week earlier (Axios).

Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s security council, led the Ukrainian delegation and expressed gratitude for American support during the conflict. “U.S. is hearing us. U.S. is supporting us. U.S. is working beside us,” Umerov said (NPR).

Witkoff Heads to Moscow for Putin Talks

The Florida session comes days before Witkoff travels to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The envoy’s upcoming Russia visit will present a revised peace framework that has undergone significant modifications since its controversial initial draft (Al Jazeera).

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The original 28-point U.S. peace proposal drew criticism for appearing heavily weighted toward Russian demands, including provisions for Ukraine to cede the entire Donbas region and abandon NATO membership aspirations (CBS News). Negotiators have since whittled the framework to 19 points, though key sticking points on territory and security guarantees remain unresolved (Radio Free Europe).

Corruption Scandal Reshapes Ukrainian Delegation

The talks proceeded under a cloud of uncertainty following Friday’s resignation of Andrii Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s powerful chief of staff and lead negotiator (CNN).

Anti-corruption investigators searched Yermak’s home in connection with an alleged $100 million energy sector kickback scheme that has roiled Zelenskyy’s government (NPR). Two ministers have already resigned over the scandal.

The Kremlin indicated it was monitoring the situation closely. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the corruption scandal was creating political uncertainty that could have “very negative” consequences for Ukraine (NBC News).

President Trump has indicated he would only meet with Zelenskyy and Putin once a deal reaches its final stages.

Can negotiators bridge remaining gaps on territory and security guarantees before momentum fades?

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