Archive · 2 Dec 2025
US-Ukraine Peace Talks Progress Amid Challenges
Ukrainian and American officials had their first meeting to talk about how to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The Ukrainian representative said the meeting was going well and that everyone was being friendly.
An important American official named Marco Rubio was leading the talks.
The Ukrainian team included people who work in intelligence and national security.
The meeting happened in Florida on a Sunday.
The US initially proposed a peace plan that some people thought was too favorable to Russia.
The Ukrainian team is now led by a new person named Rustem Umerov, who thanked the US for their support.
The Ukrainian team is trying to push back on terms that are too friendly to Moscow, while the US is trying to create a plan that keeps Ukraine independent and prosperous.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has said that Ukraine is going through a very difficult time but promised not to make a bad deal.
US-Ukraine peace talks began in a positive and constructive manner in Hallandale Beach, Florida on November 30, 2025.
Ukraine's first deputy foreign minister praised the talks as engaging and constructive, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the US delegation.
Ukrainian officials present included heads of intelligence and national security, with a new chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, leading the talks for Kyiv.
The US has pressured Ukraine to make significant concessions, including giving up territory to Russia, while Ukraine aims to maintain sovereignty and push back on Moscow-friendly terms.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned of the country's most difficult moment yet but pledged not to make a bad deal, with talks taking place amid a domestic political crisis and widespread blackouts from Russian air strikes.
- Who
- US and Ukrainian officials, including Marco Rubio, Rustem Umerov, and Sergiy Kyslytsya
- What
- Peace talks regarding Russia's war with Ukraine
- When
- November 30, 2025
- Where
- Hallandale Beach, Florida
- Why
- To discuss outlines of a peace deal with Russia and end the more than 3-year-long war
Ukraine's Stance
US Stance
Territorial Concessions
Ukraine's Stance
Ukraine is seeking to push back on Moscow-friendly terms and is not willing to give up territory to Russia.
US Stance
The US has pressured Ukraine to make significant concessions, including giving up territory to Russia.
Peace Deal Terms
Ukraine's Stance
Ukraine aims to maintain sovereignty, independence, and prosperity and is cautious about making a bad deal.
US Stance
The US initially proposed a peace blueprint that critics said favored Russia, but now aims to create a pathway forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent, and prosperous.
- Location
- Hallandale Beach, Florida
- Date
- November 30, 2025
- Ukrainian Officials Present
- Oleg Ivashchenko, Andrii Hnatov, Vadym Skibitskyi, Rustem Umerov
- US Officials Present
- Marco Rubio (Secretary of State), Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy), Jared Kushner (President's Son-in-law)
- Ukrainian Spokesperson
- Sergiy Kyslytsya (First Deputy Foreign Minister)
- Previous Ukrainian Negotiator
- Andriy Yermak (Resigned amid corruption scandal)
- New Ukrainian Negotiator
- Rustem Umerov (National Security Council Secretary)
- Venue
- Shell Bay, a private club near Miami
- US Peace Plan
- 28-point plan, revised multiple times, initially favored Russia
- Ukraine's Priorities
- Security guarantees, preventing future aggression, economic stability, post-war reconstruction
Sources
Kyiv says US peace talks off to ‘good start’ in ‘warm atmosphere’
Russia–Ukraine war: Zelenskyy’s team, US officials hold peace talks in Florida
Officials express optimism as US and Ukraine try to work out peace deal in Florida
Officials express optimism as US and Ukraine try to work out peace deal in Florida
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Rubio on peace talks: ‘Not just the end of the war’ — US wants Ukraine to stay ‘sovereign and independent’
Rubio sees progress in Florida talks with Ukraine, but more work needed to reach deal
US sees progress after talks in Florida with Ukraine, but more work needed to reach deal
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Rubio calls Ukraine talks ‘productive’ as pressure builds before Moscow trip, says ‘more work to be done’
Rubio Says US-Ukraine Talks on Russia War were Productive
Marco Rubio Calls US-Ukraine Peace Talks ‘Productive’ As Kyiv Seeks Security Guarantees
Border with Russia becomes focal point in ‘hard, intense’ US-Ukraine negotiations
US state secretary says ‘more work to be done’ after talks with Ukraine over revised peace plan
Russia-Ukraine deal soon? Putin to meet Trump’s envoy Witkoff in Moscow on Dec 2
Tough Issues On Russia-Ukraine Need To Be Resolved, Says Zelenskyy After Florida Talks
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says ‘tough issues’ still need to be resolved after Florida talks
Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for Ukraine peace talks
Zelensky meets Macron in Paris to shore up support for Ukraine as Trump pushes plan to end war
Trump officials’ meeting with Russian in Miami spurs questions about Ukraine proposal
US ‘very optimistic’ on breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine peace deal as Trump envoy heads to Moscow