Negotiations between Donald Trump’s advisers and Ukrainian officials will continue for a third straight day as both sides work toward outlining a potential postwar security framework for Ukraine. Representatives from Washington and Kyiv described the latest round of talks in Florida as showing “progress,” but stressed that any real breakthrough hinges on Russia’s willingness to pursue a durable peace.
The two delegations — led by Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for the US side and by Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov for Ukraine — said discussions are focused on defining security guarantees designed to prevent future Russian aggression and on shaping long-term reconstruction plans. Economic cooperation and US–Ukraine investment projects were also part of the agenda as Kyiv seeks support for rebuilding after nearly four years of war.
The Florida negotiations follow a high-profile meeting earlier in the week in Moscow between Trump’s envoys and Russian President Vladimir Putin. After that meeting, Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov suggested that Kushner could be a dealmaker capable of turning a peace framework into a written agreement, signaling Moscow’s interest while continuing to push back against European demands for stronger security protections for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains cautious, saying Kyiv wants clarity on what was discussed in Moscow. He has repeatedly accused Russia of slowing negotiations while maintaining military pressure along the front, and he worries a premature settlement without strong guarantees could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.
European governments are also trying to shape the outcome. Leaders in Paris, Berlin and other capitals insist that any settlement must include binding, enforceable security commitments to ensure Ukraine’s borders and sovereignty are protected. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking during his visit to China, said Beijing appeared open to backing efforts that promote regional stability, but emphasised that Europe must remain aligned with Washington throughout the process.
The diplomatic efforts continue against a backdrop of unrelenting violence. A Russian drone attack killed a 12-year-old boy in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, while Kyiv launched strikes on a Russian port and an oil refinery aimed at disrupting supply networks used to support the war effort. Russia claimed its air defenses intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones across several regions and in Crimea.
Both sides described the talks as constructive but made clear that progress on paper cannot translate into an agreement until Moscow signals a genuine commitment to de-escalation and a halt to attacks.
