US-Ukrainian negotiations in Florida to end the war with Russia
A crucial round of talks between the United States and Ukraine began in Florida on Sunday, aimed at establishing a framework to end the ongoing war with Russia, amid US assurances of guaranteeing Kyiv's sovereignty and increasing field and political pressures facing the Ukrainian leadership.
A new path towards peace and sovereignty
At the start of his meeting with the Ukrainian delegation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the goal of these negotiations goes beyond simply reaching traditional peace agreements. Rubio explained that the talks aim to "chart a path for the future that ensures Ukraine remains a sovereign, independent, and prosperous nation," noting that Washington is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that has persisted for more than three years.
This meeting comes at a very sensitive time, as the US administration seeks to present a comprehensive vision for a cessation of hostilities, a vision that requires a difficult compromise between Kyiv’s demands for full sovereignty and the reality on the ground imposed by Russian forces.
Details of the meeting and high-level attendance
The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. local time in Florida, with the Ukrainian delegation headed by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustam Umarov. On the American side, in addition to Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkov and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, were present, reflecting the utmost importance the U.S. administration attaches to this issue.
Commenting on the meeting's agenda, Umarov stated: "We are discussing the future of Ukraine, its security, preventing a recurrence of aggression against it, its prosperity, and how to rebuild it," stressing the need for real security guarantees.
Washington's controversial plan
The talks center on a US plan to end the conflict, the first version of which Washington drafted in a 28-point document without direct input from its European allies. The initial draft sparked considerable controversy, as it stipulated the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk region in the east and US recognition of Russia's de facto control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the Crimean Peninsula.
Although the United States amended the draft after sharp criticism from Kyiv and European capitals, the current version remains ambiguous in some aspects, making the current negotiations crucial to clarifying the points of contention.
A turbulent field and political context
These negotiations are taking place under the shadow of a Russian military escalation, as Moscow has intensified its air and nighttime drone strikes on the capital Kyiv and its surroundings for two consecutive nights, in a clear attempt to put pressure on the Ukrainian negotiating position.
Domestically, the Ukrainian political scene is experiencing a major upheaval following President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss his powerful chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, amid a wide-ranging corruption investigation. This change in leadership casts a shadow over the negotiating team, which is striving to maintain internal unity while negotiating the country's future.
Expected European coordination
In a related development concerning the international dimensions of the crisis, the French presidency announced that President Emmanuel Macron will hold urgent talks with President Zelensky in Paris on Monday. This move reflects European concern about Washington's unilateral approach to resolving the crisis and the continent's desire to ensure that any proposed compromises do not come at the expense of Europe's future strategic security.
