US, Ukraine to hold high-stakes Florida talks as peace push intensifies

Top negotiators for US President Donald Trump will meet Ukrainian officials in Florida on November 30, in what officials describe as a critical step in fast-moving efforts to reach a peace deal to halt Russia’s invasion.

The US team — led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner — will follow up on last weekend’s Geneva talks, which outlined a preliminary framework but left major territorial and political disputes unresolved, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

The meeting comes as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces turmoil at home following the resignation of his chief of staff and chief negotiator Andriy Yermak amid a corruption probe. Despite the setback, Zelensky said diplomacy “remains active” and praised Washington’s “constructive approach.”

Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow next week, raising concerns among some analysts in Kyiv and Washington about potential US concessions — worries the White House denies.

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said Geneva produced tangible progress, including a revised 19-point draft reportedly removing several key Russian demands. But he warned the toughest issues now require presidential-level decisions.

Herbst said the November 30 talks will serve as a “temperature-taking” moment to assess whether Washington and Kyiv can align their positions before Witkoff’s visit to Moscow.

By Khagan Isayev