KYIV,Ukraine – Ukrainian and U.S. officials are signaling progress in negotiations aimed at establishing a framework for UkraineS post-war security, as talks in Florida entered a third day Saturday. The discussions center on a U.S.-backed peace plan intended to secure a lasting cessation of hostilities with Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed his “full solidarity” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a recent conversation, and confirmed he will join Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday to further discuss de-escalation measures and a potential ceasefire. The four leaders previously met virtually two weeks prior to explore the possibility of a European peacekeeping force for Ukraine should a ceasefire be achieved.
While Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized Ukraine’s right to determine its own future, Russian president Vladimir Putin has rejected the idea of an international peacekeeping force, labeling any deployed troops as “legitimate targets.”
The negotiations follow a recent surge in Russian attacks, with Ukrainian authorities reporting 653 drones and 51 missiles launched Friday night. A strike on the railway hub in Fastiv,southwest of kyiv,destroyed the main station building and damaged rolling stock,while attacks on energy facilities in eight regions caused widespread blackouts. Russia claims to have targeted military-industrial sites, energy infrastructure, and ports.
A statement released Friday by U.S. negotiator Abraham Witkoff indicated two days of talks with Ukraine’s Secretary of the National Security Council, Rustem Umerov, had been “constructive,” with agreement reached on the “framework of security arrangements” and “necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace.” tho,the statement stressed that the prospect of ending the war hinges on Russia demonstrating a “serious commitment to long-term peace” and taking “steps towards de-escalation and cessation of killing.” Earlier talks in Moscow between U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators failed to yield a breakthrough.
