Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Wednesday that preparations for the U.S. round were in progress. He noted that Umerov and other members of Kyiv’s negotiating team would continue discussions with Trump administration envoys after consultations in Washington are completed.
A senior Ukrainian official, speaking on background, said Kyiv intends to assess feedback gathered by the U.S. delegation in Moscow before determining whether formal cease-fire proposals can be drafted. The Florida venue has not been disclosed, and no agenda items have been publicly confirmed.
During the Kremlin meeting, Witkoff and Kushner reportedly conveyed what they termed an “impression” that Putin is interested in a resolution to the conflict. President Trump later described the conversation as a “reasonably good meeting,” while acknowledging that substantial work remains to craft terms acceptable to both sides.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed that assessment, telling reporters that Putin deemed certain ideas “unacceptable” but found others “fine for Moscow.” He did not elaborate on specific sticking points. Russian officials have consistently insisted on security guarantees and recognition of territorial gains, positions Ukraine has rejected.
The diplomatic maneuvering unfolds as fighting continues on multiple fronts. On Dec. 3, Ukrainian emergency crews responded to an airstrike that damaged residential buildings in the eastern city of Sloviansk. Local authorities said rescue operations were ongoing, though casualty figures were not immediately available.
Western governments have expressed cautious support for renewed engagement. A spokesperson for the European Union called the Florida meeting “a positive step” but emphasized that any agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, the United Nations press office reiterated its offer to facilitate humanitarian corridors if a cease-fire is reached.
Within the United States, lawmakers from both parties are monitoring developments but have not yet commented on the planned talks. Congress is considering additional security assistance for Kyiv, and any prospective deal could influence the scope and timing of future aid packages.
Imagem: Internet
Analysts note that Kushner’s involvement reprises a pattern from earlier Middle East negotiations, where he acted as a conduit between Trump and foreign leaders. His exact role in shaping Ukraine policy has not been detailed by the White House.
Umerov, a former legislator appointed to head Ukraine’s Security and Defense Council in 2024, has led Kyiv’s negotiating team since early 2025. He has stated publicly that Ukraine seeks a “comprehensive and just peace,” including full control over internationally recognized borders and reparations for war-related damages.
Witkoff, a real-estate executive turned diplomat, was named special envoy for Ukraine in September. The Florida native has traveled frequently between Kyiv, Washington and European capitals as part of what U.S. officials describe as an “accelerated shuttle diplomacy” effort.
According to the senior administration official, Thursday’s agenda will likely cover potential confidence-building measures, timelines for troop withdrawals, and mechanisms for international monitoring. The official emphasized that no final document is expected this week.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prompting widespread sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Despite multiple rounds of talks mediated by Turkey, the U.N. and other actors, frontline positions have shifted only marginally over the past year, and civilian areas remain under periodic missile and drone attacks.
White House aides said Trump will receive real-time updates during the Florida meeting but is not slated to participate directly. Subsequent consultations among U.S., Ukrainian and European representatives could take place in Washington or Brussels, depending on progress.
If momentum holds, negotiators hope to convene a broader session involving Russian and Ukrainian officials later in December. The location and format of such a gathering have not been determined.
Crédito da imagem: Kristina Kormilitsyna/POOL/AFP via Getty Images; Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters
