Marco Rubio calls US‑Ukraine talks ‘productive’ but says final peace deal still remains elusive
HALLANDALE BEACH, FLORIDA: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and top Ukrainian officials have wrapped up a high-stakes meeting in Florida, with both sides calling the session "productive" but acknowledging that significant hurdles remain in ending the war with Russia.
The four-hour summit on Sunday, November 30, brought together key figures from the Trump administration and Kyiv to hash out the details of a controversial 28-point peace plan.
While the meeting at Steve Witkoff's Shell Bay Club marked a step forward, Rubio cautioned that a final agreement is not yet in hand.
Marco Rubio emphasizes long-term prosperity over quick fix
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that today’s meeting in Miami between American and Ukrainian negotiators was “quite productive,” with additional progress being made towards a peace settlement, though he added, “we still have work to do” while stating that there is… pic.twitter.com/XQPvnd7kut
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 30, 2025
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rubio framed the negotiations as more than just a ceasefire agreement.
"It’s not just about the terms that end fighting," Rubio said. "It’s about also the terms that set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity... I think we build on that today, but there’s more work to be done".
The secretary of state stressed that the ultimate goal was to leave Ukraine "sovereign and independent," a reassurance aimed at quelling fears that the Trump administration might force Kyiv into a bad deal to fulfill campaign promises.
Ukrainian delegation praises US support
The meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and the American side on steps toward achieving a just peace has already begun in the United States.
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) November 30, 2025
I remain in constant contact with the President of Ukraine. We have clear directives and priorities: safeguarding Ukrainian… pic.twitter.com/herwCpylWd
The Ukrainian team was led by Rustem Umerov, the head of the country's security council, who took over negotiations following the abrupt resignation of Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak last week.
Umerov signaled a positive shift in relations, delivering a message clearly intended for President Donald Trump.
"US is hearing us. US is supporting us. US is working beside us," Umerov said, countering previous friction over the level of Ukraine's gratitude for American aid.
The delegation also included Andrii Hnatov, head of Ukraine's armed forces, and Presidential Adviser Oleksandr Bevz, indicating the seriousness with which Kyiv is treating the new US proposal.
Plan 'fine-tuned' ahead of Moscow trip
The talks focused on revising a US-backed plan that initially called for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region and cap its military size - terms Kyiv rejected.
President Trump has since said that the draft was a "concept" to be "fine-tuned," and negotiators in Florida adjusted the framework before special envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow later this week.
Witkoff, along with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, played a central role in the Florida meeting.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with Witkoff before Thursday.
