Rubio says 'more work to be done' after talks with Ukrainians on peace plan
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday's meeting with a Ukrainian delegation on ending Russia's war with Ukraine was "productive" while acknowledging "there's more work to be done."
"We continue to be realistic about how difficult this is, but optimistic," Rubio said after the meeting with special envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and the Ukrainian delegation concluded in Florida.
Rubio emerged from the talks with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, who said the meeting had been "productive and successful."
"On the later stages, hopefully, we’ll keep you updated," Umerov said.
Rubio said the negotiations on Sunday had been wide-ranging and "comprehensive," adding that the talks focused on both ending Russia's war and on setting Ukraine up for "long-term prosperity."
The meetings came as Russia continued its nightly barrages of Ukraine, including launching overnight into Sunday morning a deadly aerial strike on the Ukrainian capital, killing at least one person, injuring 19 others and damaging residential buildings, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said early on Sunday.
"Emergency response efforts are currently underway in Vyshhorod, Kyiv region, following the Russian attack," Zelenskyy said on social media. "Russia struck the city with drones, damaging numerous residential buildings."
Rubio also noted the U.S. has been "in touch in varying degrees " with the Russians. "We have a pretty good understanding of their views as well," he added.
Umerov echoed Rubio's sentiment and thanked U.S. leadership for its "tremendous work with us."
"We discussed all the important matters that are important for Ukraine, for Ukrainian people, and U.S. was super supportive. ... We already had a successful meeting in Geneva, and today we continue this success," Umerov said.
Doubts remain that Putin would actually agree to any plan that's deemed acceptable to Kyiv. He has already signalled he won't compromise -- saying any talks with Zelenskyy are "pointless."
Sunday's talks were the first high-level negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine since they met in Geneva a week ago. Those talks had begun with a 28-point plan proposed by the United States, which through negotiations became a 19-point plan. But even that revised plan had not settled what were perhaps the most difficult issues -- including whether Ukraine would cede any territory to Russia and whether Ukraine could in the future apply for NATO membership.
Sunday's meeting follows Zelenskyy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak being forced to resign amid a corruption scandal that has rocked the country and left Zelenskyy without his right-hand man at a difficult moment.
Umerov was questioned in connection with the scandal by investigators, according to Reuters and local media, but he has not been formally accused of wrongdoing.
Zelenskyy on Sunday morning said Russia launched a total in the last week of about 1,400 drones and 66 missiles, as well as over a thousand aerial bombs, against Ukraine, underlining the scale of Russia's increased air campaign as peace talks go on.
"This is exactly why we must strengthen Ukraine's resilience every single day," Zelenskyy said. "Missiles and air-defense systems are essential, and just as crucial is active work with our partners for peace. We need real, reliable solutions that will help end this war. I thank everyone who is helping."
