Trump-Backed Peace Talks in Florida: Rubio and Witkoff Meet with Ukraine's Negotiators Amid Ongoing Conflict
Image Source: Internet
In a diplomatic push to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, top US officials are meeting with Ukrainian negotiators in Florida this weekend. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, are set to discuss a proposed peace framework with a Ukrainian delegation led by Andrii Hnatov, the head of Ukraine's armed forces. The talks come at a critical moment for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russian forces that invaded the country in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the resignation of his chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, who was previously the lead negotiator in talks with the US. This move follows a scandal over embezzled funds from the energy sector, which has put pressure on Zelenskyy's government. The proposed peace plan, developed in negotiations between Washington and Moscow, has been criticized for favoring Russian demands. The plan would require Ukraine to cede the Donbas region to Russia, impose limits on Ukraine's military, and block the country's accession to NATO. However, negotiators have indicated that the plan has undergone revisions, although the specifics are unclear. Trump has stated that he will send Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow this week to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the plan. The Ukrainian delegation is expected to 'swiftly and substantively work out the steps needed to end the war,' as stated by Zelenskyy. Despite these diplomatic efforts, the conflict continues to escalate, with Russian drone and missile attacks in and around Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killing and injuring civilians. The Ukrainian government has emphasized the need for 'real, reliable solutions' to end the war and has called for increased international support to strengthen Ukraine's resilience. In a separate development, Ukraine has been urged to stop attacking a major oil terminal in Russia after claiming responsibility for damaging the facility. Kazakhstan has expressed concerns over the incident, which it says has harmed bilateral relations between the two countries.
