High-stakes meetings in Florida
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner are expected to host the Ukrainian delegation on Sunday. The meetings mark the first face-to-face negotiations between Washington and Kyiv since a July session in Geneva, where an original U.S. proposal containing 28 points was reduced to 19 through preliminary bargaining.
Key issues remain unresolved. The U.S. plan has not yet determined whether Ukraine would concede any occupied territory or retain the option to apply for future membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Both matters are considered central to any durable settlement but are also likely to meet resistance from Moscow.
Witkoff is scheduled to fly to Moscow early next week to present the same set of ideas to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin officials have publicly questioned the value of negotiations with Zelenskyy, and Putin has stated that talks with the Ukrainian leader are “pointless,” raising doubts about the likelihood of rapid progress.
Russian pressure on the battlefield
The overnight strike in Vyshhorod appears consistent with Russia’s recent use of swarming drone attacks aimed at civilian infrastructure and population centers. Local officials said fragments from intercepted drones as well as direct hits caused extensive structural damage to multiple apartment blocks, shattering windows and igniting fires that burned for hours before being contained.
Emergency responders evacuated residents and searched the debris for additional victims. Kyiv’s regional administration confirmed one fatality and 19 injuries, noting that casualty figures could rise as rescue operations continue.
Zelenskyy, posting on social media, called for accelerated deliveries of air-defense systems and longer-range missiles from Ukraine’s partners. He argued that bolstering domestic defenses is essential while diplomatic channels are pursued, maintaining that “real, reliable solutions” are needed to end the conflict.
Diplomatic context and lingering skepticism
The Florida consultations are viewed in Kyiv as an opportunity to secure a unified stance with Washington before Witkoff meets Putin. Ukrainian officials want firm U.S. backing on territorial integrity and security guarantees, believing Moscow will test any perceived divisions within the Western camp.
Imagem: Internet
Analysts in both capitals note, however, that the Kremlin may have little incentive to compromise while its forces maintain significant leverage on the battlefield. The Russian government continues to occupy large portions of eastern and southern Ukraine, and has repeatedly stated that any settlement must reflect “new realities” created since the February 2022 invasion.
For the United States, the talks represent an attempt to revive a peace initiative that stalled after the Geneva round. While the administration’s revised 19-point proposal has narrowed disagreements in some areas, it has not eliminated core disputes. Washington officials privately acknowledge that negotiating a cease-fire or broader accord remains a long-term endeavor, and stress that Kyiv will make the final decisions regarding its sovereignty and territorial claims.
Leadership shuffle in Kyiv
Yermak’s departure this month has added an element of uncertainty to Ukraine’s internal decision-making process. As Zelenskyy’s closest adviser since the war began, he coordinated much of the government’s diplomacy. His resignation follows allegations from anti-corruption authorities that several senior officials accepted bribes from military suppliers, charges that forced a broader shake-up within the presidential administration.
Umerov, a former lawmaker and Crimean Tatar activist, now heads the negotiating team. Although investigators questioned him about the procurement scandal, no formal charges were filed, and he received parliamentary backing to continue his duties. Ukrainian lawmakers argue that a unified front is vital ahead of the upcoming meetings with Washington and Moscow.
Next steps
After the Florida talks, the Ukrainian delegation is expected to return to Kyiv for consultations before Witkoff’s Moscow visit. U.S. officials have not disclosed a detailed timeline for any subsequent rounds, saying only that progress will depend on the responses from both Kyiv and the Kremlin.
In the meantime, Ukrainian civil defense units remain on high alert. Local authorities in Kyiv warned residents that additional drone or missile strikes are possible, noting that Russia often follows initial attacks with secondary waves aimed at emergency crews and repair workers.
As the diplomatic calendar advances, the situation on the ground continues to evolve, with Ukraine seeking to protect its population while gauging whether meaningful negotiations with Russia are attainable.
Crédito da imagem: Roman Pilipey/AFP; Efrem Lukatsky/AP
