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U.S. and Ukrainian officials held five hours of “difficult but productive” talks on Sunday at a private golf club in Florida, focusing on defining a potential de facto border between Ukraine and Russia as part of a peace plan to end the nearly four-year war.
The discussions, hosted by Trump ally and special envoy Steve Witkoff at his Shell Bay golf club near Miami, were aimed at advancing territorial demarcation talks ahead of his scheduled trip to Moscow for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.
According to two Ukrainian officials cited by U.S. media outlet Axios, the talks centered almost exclusively on where a possible peace agreement would draw the territorial line, particularly in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. Putin has insisted Russia will not stop its offensive until it controls the entire area.
The U.S. delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner, and Witkoff. Ukraine was represented by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, and Deputy Military Intelligence Chief Vadym Skibitskyi.
Following an initial broader group session, discussions narrowed to three representatives per side. After the formal talks, Umerov and Witkoff continued one-on-one and later briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“It was intense but not negative,” one Ukrainian official told Axios. “We really appreciate serious U.S. engagement. Our position is that we must do everything to help the U.S. succeed—without losing our country or inviting another aggression.”
Zelenskyy confirmed the meeting in a post on the social media platform X, expressing appreciation for the constructive dialogue.
“I am grateful to America, President Trump’s team, and the president personally for the time that is so intensively invested in determining steps to end the war,” he said. “We will continue to work. I look forward to a full report from our team at a personal meeting.”
Zelenskyy had hoped to discuss territory directly with Trump, but the president has indicated he would only meet again with Zelenskyy or Putin once an agreement is within reach.
Witkoff is scheduled to fly to Moscow on Monday to meet with Putin and present the latest territorial proposals. His trip follows earlier backchannel diplomacy in Geneva, which Umerov described as successful.
U.S. officials believe progress in defining Ukraine’s postwar borders could unlock a broader peace agreement. A U.S. official speaking to Fox News confirmed the administration is advancing a peace proposal but declined to provide details.
Rubio praised Sunday’s talks, saying the goal is “not just the end of the war” but ensuring Ukraine emerges sovereign and independent.
“They want peace. But it's also about securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent and with an opportunity at real prosperity,” Rubio said. “We continue to be realistic about how difficult this is, but optimistic.”
He added that Russia’s position is well understood and confirmed that diplomacy would continue in the coming week during Witkoff’s Moscow visit.
Umerov said on Telegram after the meeting that the sides made “tangible progress on the path toward a just peace” and that Ukraine’s priorities—security, sovereignty, and lasting peace—are shared by the American side.
In another statement, he said, “We have achieved substantial progress in advancing a dignified peace and in converging our positions with the American side.”
Umerov emphasized that Ukraine’s delegation remained in constant contact with Zelenskyy throughout the process and will report all developments to the president.
Sunday’s meeting came days after Zelenskyy’s longtime chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, resigned amid a widening anti-corruption investigation. Umerov was named head of the delegation for international peace talks.
Alongside Umerov, Ukraine’s team included Andrii Hnatov, Oleg Ivashchenko, Vadym Skibitskyi, Olga Stefanishyna, and presidential adviser Oleksandr Bevz.
First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya described the atmosphere as “warm” and “conducive to a potential progressive outcome.”
Umerov said discussions now move to coordinating a joint framework solution, following previous meetings in Geneva and the latest session in Florida. He thanked what he called “President Trump’s super team” for supporting Ukrainian objectives over the last 10 months.
“We are discussing how to prevent a repetition of aggression. The U.S. is hearing us, supporting us, and walking beside us,” he said.
The Kremlin has stated it remains open to negotiations and committed to diplomacy. While Moscow has not commented on the Florida talks, the U.S. administration has confirmed it is working on a Ukrainian settlement plan, though it continues to withhold details while negotiations are ongoing.
The U.S. proposal reportedly includes territorial concessions in the Donbas to persuade Putin to halt the offensive—a step that remains highly sensitive and politically explosive for Kyiv.
Witkoff, who helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas earlier this year, is seen as a key figure in current backchannel diplomacy. His mission to Moscow is expected to be a critical next step in testing whether a deal can be reached.
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