Trump Expresses Optimism for Ukraine Peace Deal Following Miami Negotiations
US President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism Sunday about prospects for ending the war in Ukraine, following what both sides described as "productive" negotiations in Florida that set the stage for upcoming talks with Russia.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged Ukraine's internal challenges, including a corruption scandal that recently forced President Volodymyr Zelensky to dismiss key officials, but maintained there was a "good chance" for reaching an agreement.
"Ukraine's got some difficult little problems," Trump told reporters, "but I think that there's a good chance we can make a deal."
Complex Negotiations Ahead
The talks in Hallandale Beach, north of Miami, brought together US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior Ukrainian officials led by security council secretary Rustem Umerov. The discussions, while characterized as productive, highlighted the complexity of the peace process.
"This is delicate. It's complicated," Rubio explained to reporters. "There are a lot of moving parts, and obviously there's another party involved here that will have to be a part of the equation."
That other party, Russia, will be the focus of Witkoff's upcoming Moscow visit, where he is expected to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss the American peace proposal.
Evolving Peace Framework
The initial US proposal reportedly contained 28 points and would have required significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, including withdrawal from the eastern Donetsk region. The plan faced criticism from both Kyiv and European allies, prompting revisions whose current details remain undisclosed.
A source close to the Ukrainian delegation described the negotiations as challenging, noting that "the search for formulations and solutions continues." American officials appear eager to finalize terms before the Moscow discussions, according to sources briefed on the developments.
Diplomatic Momentum
The Florida talks are part of a broader diplomatic push. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to host Zelensky in Paris on Monday, while NATO foreign ministers will convene in Brussels later this week, though Rubio will not attend despite allied concerns about the US peace plan.
President Zelensky praised the "substantial progress" achieved in the Miami discussions, emphasizing on social media that "all issues were discussed openly and with a clear focus on ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty and national interests."
Ongoing Military Operations
Even as diplomatic efforts intensify, the conflict continues to exact a heavy toll. Russian forces have maintained pressure on Ukrainian positions while targeting the capital region for consecutive nights. A recent drone attack on Kyiv's outskirts killed one person and wounded eleven others.
Ukraine has responded with its own operations, including attacks on Russian oil infrastructure. One of Russia's largest oil terminals suspended operations following a drone strike, with the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which includes US companies Chevron and ExxonMobil, condemning the action as a "terrorist attack."
As diplomatic initiatives gain momentum, the nearly four-year conflict that has displaced millions and claimed tens of thousands of lives remains far from resolution, despite growing international pressure for a negotiated settlement.