Witkoff discusses narrowing topics in Ukraine peace talks
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine and the United States held talks in Florida to resolve outstanding issues and move closer to signing a comprehensive peace agreement, according to Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Negotiation process details
According to Witkoff, meetings between the Ukrainian and American delegations were constructive as part of ongoing mediation efforts.
The sides discussed key issues and next steps in the negotiation track, with a particular focus on aligning approaches to achieve practical results.
"Today in Florida, US and Ukrainian delegations held constructive meetings as part of ongoing mediation efforts, with discussions focused on narrowing and resolving remaining items to move closer to a comprehensive peace agreement," the special envoy emphasized.
The Ukrainian delegation included National Security and Defense Council secretary Rustem Umerov, Servant of the People faction head David Arakhamia, Presidential Office Chief Kyrylo Budanov, and Presidential Office First Deputy Chief Sergiy Kyslytsya.
The US side was represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, US President's advisor Jared Kushner, White House Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum, and State Department Senior Policy Advisor Chris Curran.
At the conclusion of the first day of meetings, the Ukrainian delegation reported the results to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Assessment by both sides
The US delegation highlighted the importance of these talks for global stability and praised the US president's leadership in the process.
"We welcome the continued engagement toward resolving the outstanding issues, recognizing its importance to broader global stability," Witkoff said.
Rustem Umerov, in turn, thanked US partners for their consistent engagement and confirmed that the negotiation process would continue.
"We thank the United States for its involvement and consistent efforts to advance the process. We will continue work tomorrow," he stressed.
Zelenskyy on peace talks
Previously, President Zelenskyy noted that the main goal of the US meetings was to understand how genuinely ready Russia is to end the war. After the first round of consultations in Florida, the Ukrainian team plans to continue negotiations with the US side.
Ukraine's leader also emphasized that the US talks are taking place without Russian representatives. During this meeting, the Ukrainian delegation intended to raise three key issues to achieve a just and lasting peace.
