Top negotiators from the United States and Ukraine convened on Friday, revealing that they engaged in constructive discussions aimed at ending the ongoing Ukraine war. However, both parties emphasized that the journey toward achieving peace is contingent upon Russia's willingness to demonstrate a genuine commitment to long-term stability. In a joint statement, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, highlighted the necessity of de-escalation and an end to hostilities as prerequisites for any meaningful progress.
During their meeting, the US and Ukrainian negotiators agreed on a framework for security arrangements and explored various deterrence strategies. This dialogue followed a recent round of talks in Moscow, which failed to yield a compromise regarding a potential peace deal in the nearly four-year conflict. The latest discussions between Witkoff, Kushner, and Ukraine's National Security Secretary, Rustem Umerov, along with Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov, marked the sixth round of negotiations within just two weeks. The teams are scheduled to reconvene in Florida on Saturday.
In their joint statement, the four negotiators reinforced Ukraine's primary objective of securing a settlement that not only protects its independence and sovereignty but also ensures the safety of its citizens. They are also focused on laying a stable foundation for a prosperous democratic future. Additionally, they discussed a recent meeting between US officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Ukraine's post-war reconstruction plans, which aim to revitalize the nation’s economy through partnerships with the US.
To facilitate a ceasefire and reduce tensions, it is essential to prevent any potential renewed aggression. This is critical for enabling Ukraine's comprehensive redevelopment plan, which is designed to strengthen the nation and enhance its prosperity beyond pre-war levels. However, significant issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding the fate of Ukrainian territories that have been seized by Russian forces and the nature of security guarantees for Ukraine.
Witkoff's negotiations with Putin in Moscow lasted nearly five hours, but the Kremlin announced that no compromises were reached concerning the conflict's resolution. Kushner, a businessman and real estate investor who served as an advisor during Trump's first term, was present at these discussions. Following the talks, Trump characterized them as "reasonably good," yet he cautioned that it is premature to predict the outcome. On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism, stating that the international community recognizes a genuine opportunity to end the war, although he insisted that negotiations must be supported by consistent pressure on Russia.