Trump Optimistic on Ukraine Peace Deal, Rubio Cautions 'More Work' Amid Ongoing Diplomacy & Envoy's Moscow Visit

High-Stakes Diplomacy: Trump Optimistic on Ukraine Deal Amid Calls for Further Work

United States President Donald Trump has expressed considerable optimism regarding the prospects of a peace agreement to conclude the conflict in Ukraine. His comments came Sunday following the latest round of U.S. negotiations with Kyiv, as a key American envoy prepares for subsequent talks in Russia.

After intense discussions, described by both parties as "productive," took place in Hallandale Beach, Florida, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the necessity for additional effort. A source within Kyiv's delegation characterized the dialogue as "not easy," underscoring the complexity of the ongoing negotiations.

These crucial talks, unfolding as Kyiv grapples with persistent military pressure and a domestic corruption scandal, pave the way for a visit to Moscow by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to deliberate on the Ukrainian situation. Washington has put forth a framework designed to bring an end to the nearly four-year conflict, aiming to secure approval from both Moscow and Kyiv.

Presidential Perspectives and Diplomatic Challenges

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump acknowledged Ukraine's internal challenges, referencing a recent corruption probe that led Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to dismiss his chief of staff and chief negotiator. "Ukraine's got some difficult little problems," Trump noted, but maintained a positive outlook: "But I think that there's a good chance we can make a deal."

Earlier, Senator Rubio, who also participated in the Florida talks alongside Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, reiterated that while the discussions were "very productive," "there's more work to be done." He emphasized the delicate and intricate nature of the process, stating, "This is delicate. It's complicated. 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, and that will continue later this week when Mr. Witkoff travels to Moscow."

Kyiv's Stance and International Engagement

Leading Kyiv's delegation was Ukraine's security council secretary Rustem Umerov, accompanied by Andrii Hnatov, chief of staff of Ukraine's armed forces, and presidential adviser Oleksandr Bevz. Umerov conveyed to President Zelensky on Facebook that "substantial progress" had been achieved. President Zelensky, in turn, posted on X, highlighting the constructive dynamic of the talks and the open discussion of all issues, stressing the focus on "ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty and national interests."

The diplomatic flurry extends beyond these immediate negotiations. An initial U.S. proposal, comprising 28 points and drafted without input from Ukraine's European allies, reportedly suggested Kyiv withdraw from its eastern Donetsk region and proposed de facto U.S. recognition of Donetsk, Crimea, and Lugansk as Russian territories. This original draft faced criticism from Kyiv and European partners, leading to modifications, though the specifics of the revised plan remain undisclosed.

A source close to Kyiv's delegation in Florida informed AFP that "the process is not easy because the search for formulations and solutions continues." Another source briefed on the developments suggested that "the Americans really want the final points to be agreed upon" before the Moscow talks.

Adding to the intense diplomatic schedule, French President Emmanuel Macron is slated to host President Zelensky for discussions in Paris on Monday. Senator Rubio will notably skip a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels later in the week, signaling the U.S.'s concentrated focus on the bilateral Ukraine peace initiatives. Meanwhile, envoy Witkoff's journey to Russia, scheduled for Monday, with a meeting with Putin anticipated on Tuesday, underscores the high-level engagement.

Conflict Continues Amid Peace Efforts

This intensified diplomatic activity unfolds against a grim backdrop: the war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, shows no signs of abating.

Just prior to the Florida talks, Russian forces launched consecutive night attacks on Ukraine's capital and surrounding region, while making advances on the front lines. A drone strike on Kyiv's outskirts Saturday evening resulted in one fatality and eleven injuries. Hours earlier, a Ukrainian security source indicated Kyiv was responsible for attacks on two Black Sea oil tankers believed to be illicitly transporting sanctioned Russian oil.

Furthermore, one of Russia's largest oil terminals ceased operations Saturday following a drone strike. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which includes U.S. oil majors Chevron and ExxonMobil and owns the terminal, labeled the incident a "terrorist attack." Ukraine, while not commenting directly on the strike, frequently targets Russian energy infrastructure in an effort to deplete Moscow's war funding.