US Diplomats and Ukrainians Meet for Third Day Amid Ongoing Talks on Peace Plan
Talks between US President Donald Trump's advisers and Ukrainian officials have entered their third day of negotiations, with both sides expressing optimism about making progress on a post-war security framework. The discussions, which began in Florida, are seen as crucial to finding an end to the nearly four-year war.
According to sources close to the talks, real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia's commitment to long-term peace and de-escalation measures. Both parties have agreed that Ukraine must receive strong guarantees of security if a settlement is reached.
The Ukrainian delegation has expressed frustration with Russia's delays in the talks, which some describe as stalling tactics. However, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov praised US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner for their efforts to find an endgame to the conflict.
Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, has played a key role in the talks, which come amid mounting pressure on the US president to resolve the conflict. Putin has sought to sow division between Trump and Ukraine, but Kushner's involvement suggests that progress may be possible.
Meanwhile, European leaders have expressed concerns about Russia's aggression beyond Ukraine and want a prospective peace deal to include strong security guarantees. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine needs guarantees that Russia won't attack it again if a settlement is reached.
The ongoing conflict has seen both sides engage in military operations. Ukrainian drones attacked a port and an oil refinery inside Russia overnight, as part of Kyiv's campaign to disrupt Russian logistics. In response, Russian drones struck a house in central Ukraine, killing a 12-year-old boy.
Despite the tensions, US diplomats and Ukrainians remain optimistic that talks will lead to a breakthrough. As one official noted, "if any plan leading to a settlement is put on paper, it will be the pen of Mr Kushner that will lead the way."
Talks between US President Donald Trump's advisers and Ukrainian officials have entered their third day of negotiations, with both sides expressing optimism about making progress on a post-war security framework. The discussions, which began in Florida, are seen as crucial to finding an end to the nearly four-year war.
According to sources close to the talks, real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia's commitment to long-term peace and de-escalation measures. Both parties have agreed that Ukraine must receive strong guarantees of security if a settlement is reached.
The Ukrainian delegation has expressed frustration with Russia's delays in the talks, which some describe as stalling tactics. However, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov praised US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner for their efforts to find an endgame to the conflict.
Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, has played a key role in the talks, which come amid mounting pressure on the US president to resolve the conflict. Putin has sought to sow division between Trump and Ukraine, but Kushner's involvement suggests that progress may be possible.
Meanwhile, European leaders have expressed concerns about Russia's aggression beyond Ukraine and want a prospective peace deal to include strong security guarantees. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine needs guarantees that Russia won't attack it again if a settlement is reached.
The ongoing conflict has seen both sides engage in military operations. Ukrainian drones attacked a port and an oil refinery inside Russia overnight, as part of Kyiv's campaign to disrupt Russian logistics. In response, Russian drones struck a house in central Ukraine, killing a 12-year-old boy.
Despite the tensions, US diplomats and Ukrainians remain optimistic that talks will lead to a breakthrough. As one official noted, "if any plan leading to a settlement is put on paper, it will be the pen of Mr Kushner that will lead the way."