U.S. Officials and Ukrainian Negotiators Discuss Peace Framework
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, met with a Ukrainian delegation in West Palm Beach, Florida. The discussions focused on a proposed peace framework for the conflict in Ukraine. These meetings occurred in advance of planned talks in Moscow between U.S. envoys and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian Delegation Changes Amidst Internal Developments
Prior to the Florida meetings, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of Andrii Yermak, who had previously served as Ukraine's lead negotiator in discussions with the U.S. Yermak's resignation followed a search of his residence by anti-corruption investigators. The Ukrainian government has faced scrutiny related to a reported $100 million embezzlement from the energy sector, involving kickbacks.
A week prior to these developments, Secretary Rubio had met with Yermak in Geneva, with both parties reporting positive progress on a revised peace plan.
The current Ukrainian delegation includes Andrii Hnatov (head of Ukraine's armed forces), Andrii Sybiha (Ukraine's foreign minister), and Rustem Umerov (head of Ukraine's security council), according to President Zelenskyy.
Proposed Peace Plan and Upcoming Moscow Talks
Diplomatic efforts have centered on revisions to a 28-point plan initially proposed by Donald Trump, developed through earlier discussions between Washington and Moscow. The original plan had included provisions such as Ukraine ceding the Donbas region to Russia, which Kyiv had resisted. Other initial proposals included limitations on the size of Ukraine's military, opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership, and a requirement for Ukraine to hold elections within 100 days. Negotiators have indicated modifications to the framework, though specific alterations have not been publicly detailed. Trump has described the plan as a "concept" or "map" requiring refinement.
Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Witkoff and potentially Kushner would travel to Moscow to discuss the plan with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Witkoff and Kushner have previously been involved in diplomatic efforts, including a 20-point proposal that preceded a ceasefire in Gaza.
President Zelenskyy stated on X that the Ukrainian delegation would "swiftly and substantively work out the steps needed to end the war." In a Saturday address, Zelenskyy indicated that the U.S. side was "demonstrating a constructive approach" and that "In the coming days it is feasible to flesh out the steps to determine how to bring the war to a dignified end."
Ongoing Conflict and Regional Incidents
On Saturday, Russian drone and missile attacks in the Kyiv region resulted in at least three fatalities and multiple injuries. Further attacks overnight into Sunday caused one death and injured 19 individuals, including four children, following a drone strike on an apartment building in Vyshhorod.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy reported via Telegram that Russia had launched 122 strike drones and ballistic missiles against Ukraine. He noted that Russia had used approximately 1,400 strike drones, 1,100 guided aerial bombs, and 66 missiles against Ukraine in the past week. He emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine's resilience through missile and air defense systems and collaboration with international partners for peace, stating, "We need real, reliable solutions that will help end the war."
Following Ukraine's claim of responsibility for damage to an oil terminal near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, owned by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), Kazakhstan requested on Sunday that Ukraine cease attacks on the Black Sea facility. The CPC pipeline, originating in Kazakhstan and terminating at Novorossiysk, is a significant route for Kazakhstan's oil exports.
Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry issued a statement indicating that the event was perceived as detrimental to bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Ukraine, and expressed an expectation for Ukraine to implement measures to prevent future similar incidents.