Umerov to Brief Zelensky on Miami Peace Talks With Trump Envoys

Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) Secretary Rustem Umerov is set to brief President Volodymyr Zelensky on the latest round of peace talks with US envoys, following three days of negotiations in Florida.

According to Umerov, the Ukrainian delegation, joined by Chief of General Staff Andriy Hnatov, spent several days in the United States for talks with Trump-linked negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Umerov described the meetings as “constructive” and said Kyiv’s envoys aimed to obtain full information on all drafts of current proposals.

Ukrainian team focused on securing details of Moscow talks

Umerov said Kyiv’s goal in Miami was to gain details from earlier US-Russia talks in Moscow.

“The primary task of the Ukrainian team was to obtain from the American side complete information about their conversation in Moscow and all drafts of current proposals in order to discuss them in detail with the President of Ukraine,” Umerov said, adding that he and Hnatov would deliver a full briefing to Zelensky on Monday.

The US-Ukraine meetings took place across Dec. 4-6 in Miami, where the Ukrainian delegation held extended talks with Witkoff and Kushner.

“Together with all partners, we must do everything possible for a dignified end to this war. We are working as intensively as possible,” Umerov added.

Difficult negotiations over territory, security guarantees

Axios, citing two sources familiar with the discussions, reported that Zelensky also joined a two-hour call with Witkoff and Kushner during the talks in Florida. The conversation reportedly focused on two core issues – territory and security guarantees, which remain the hardest points in ongoing negotiations.

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The outlet said Russia continues to demand Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of Donbas that still remain under Kyiv’s control. US negotiators were described as attempting to craft possible compromise models, though no final breakthrough has been reached.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington, Olha Stefanishyna, who also took part in the discussions, said the parties are working on “realistic and acceptable solutions.”

“There are still challenging points and issues, but both sides continue working on formulating realistic and acceptable solutions,” she said.

In a comment to Axios, she said territorial questions and security guarantees remain the most difficult issues, adding that Ukraine aims for outcomes that are “realistic, fair, and sustainable.”

“We need to take all the drafts and to brainstorm,” another Ukrainian official was quoted by the outlet as saying.

Zelensky to receive Miami draft proposals before coalition talks

Umerov and Hnatov are expected to return from Miami to Europe and brief Zelensky in London on Monday, where they will present the US drafts and Ukraine’s initial assessments.

The briefing comes ahead of a Coalition of the Willing format gathering in London, at which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to discuss Ukraine’s position with Zelensky at the offices of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Macron wrote on X that “Ukraine can count on our unwavering support,” adding, “We will continue these efforts with the Americans to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, without which no robust and lasting peace will be possible.”

Talks with US envoys are set to continue later this week, with Stefanishyna stating that “negotiations will continue, and in-person meetings are crucial.”