Rubio says "more work to be done" after hours of U.S.-Ukraine talks to end Russian war
U.S. and Ukrainian officials concluded a crucial four-hour dialogue on Sunday, November 30, 2025, in Hallandale Beach, Florida, marking a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to forge an endgame for the protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a central figure in these high-stakes discussions, characterized the session as "productive and useful" but underscored that substantial "more work is to be done" before a lasting resolution can be achieved. These talks, coming at a sensitive juncture for Kyiv, aimed not only at ceasing hostilities but also at laying the groundwork for Ukraine’s enduring security and prosperity.
The U.S. delegation, led by Secretary Rubio, included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former President Trump’s son-in-law, reflecting a blend of seasoned diplomacy and a pragmatic, deal-making approach. They engaged with Ukrainian delegates, including the newly appointed Secretary of National Security, Rustem Umerov, in what appears to be a concerted push towards peace. The immediate aftermath of the talks confirmed the next critical phase: Witkoff is slated to travel to Moscow on Monday to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, a U.S. official confirmed to CBS News, signaling direct engagement with the Kremlin on the proposed peace framework. Putin, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, is expected to meet Witkoff before his departure for India later in the week.
Rubio articulated a vision for Ukraine that extends far beyond merely ending the current conflict. He emphasized the necessity of ensuring Ukraine’s perpetual safety, stating, "We don’t just want to end the war. We also want to help Ukraine be safe forever. So never again will they face another invasion." Beyond security, Rubio highlighted the imperative of enabling Ukraine to "enter an age of true prosperity," stressing that the terms of any peace agreement must "set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity." This ambitious framing suggests that the U.S. is seeking a comprehensive solution that addresses both immediate cessation of hostilities and the foundational conditions for Ukraine’s future stability and economic growth, a task that undoubtedly requires intricate negotiations and significant compromises from all parties.
The current diplomatic push unfolds against a backdrop of immense domestic pressure within Ukraine. The nation, still actively repelling Russian forces that launched a full-scale invasion in 2022, is simultaneously grappling with a significant internal corruption scandal. This scandal, involving the alleged embezzlement of $100 million from the energy sector through kickbacks paid by contractors, has rocked President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government. The fallout directly impacted Ukraine’s negotiating team, leading to the abrupt resignation of Andriy Yermak, the powerful chief of staff to President Zelenskyy, after his home was searched by anti-corruption investigators. Yermak had previously been Ukraine’s head negotiator, including in recent talks with Rubio in Geneva. His departure and the subsequent appointment of Rustem Umerov introduce a new dynamic into the negotiation process, potentially affecting continuity and strategy.
Despite these internal turbulences, the Ukrainian side expressed cautious optimism regarding the Miami discussions. Rustem Umerov, in brief remarks following the meeting, thanked the American negotiators, stating, "We discussed all the important matters that are important for Ukraine, for Ukrainian people and us, was super supportive. We were already had a successful meeting in Geneva, and today we continue this success." He described the meeting as "productive and successful," promising further updates at later stages. Other members of the Ukrainian delegation included Andrii Hnatov, the head of Ukraine’s armed forces, and presidential adviser Oleksandr Bevz, underscoring the high-level engagement from Kyiv.
The diplomatic focus has been on revising a peace plan originally developed during negotiations between Washington and Moscow. This plan, which emerged from the Trump administration, had faced considerable criticism for being "too weighted toward Russian demands." Initially, it was envisioned as a "28-point plan" that controversially proposed several conditions deeply unfavorable to Ukraine. These included imposing limits on the size of Ukraine’s military, explicitly blocking the country from joining NATO – a core aspiration for Kyiv – and requiring Ukraine to hold elections within 100 days. Perhaps most contentious was the proposal for Ukraine to cede the entire eastern region of the Donbas to Russia, a provision that constituted a major sticking point for Kyiv, which views its territorial integrity as non-negotiable. While former President Trump had since played down the initial proposal as merely a "concept" or a "map" to be "fine-tuned," negotiators have indicated that the framework has undergone significant changes, though the precise alterations remain undisclosed. The ongoing discussions aim to refine this framework into a mutually acceptable blueprint for peace.
The involvement of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both prominent figures from the real estate sector, introduces a distinctive approach to these intricate diplomatic endeavors. Their background in high-stakes dealmaking, where pragmatic solutions and transactional outcomes often take precedence over traditional diplomatic protocols, sets them apart. This approach, which prioritizes closing a deal, was previously seen in their involvement in a 20-point proposal that contributed to a ceasefire in Gaza. Their presence suggests a desire from the U.S. side to leverage a different kind of negotiation skill, one focused on brokering agreements that might bypass conventional diplomatic stalemates. However, the complexities of international conflict, especially one with such profound geopolitical implications as the Russia-Ukraine war, present unique challenges that extend beyond commercial transactions.
President Zelenskyy himself conveyed a sense of cautious progress. Writing on X, he affirmed that the Ukrainian delegation would "swiftly and substantively work out the steps needed to end the war." In his nightly address on Saturday, Zelenskyy noted that the American side was "demonstrating a constructive approach," expressing hope that "in the coming days it is feasible to flesh out the steps to determine how to bring the war to a dignified end." These statements, while hopeful, also implicitly acknowledge the formidable challenges that lie ahead in translating "productive and useful" discussions into a concrete, enforceable, and equitable peace agreement. The journey from Miami to Moscow and beyond will undoubtedly be fraught with further complexities, as the international community watches closely to see if this renewed diplomatic push can finally bring an end to one of Europe’s most devastating conflicts in decades. The "more work to be done" noted by Secretary Rubio serves as a stark reminder of the long and arduous path toward a lasting peace for Ukraine.
