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Third‑Day Florida Talks Aim to Push U.S.–Mediated Peace Framework Amid Ongoing Hostilities

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Third‑Day Florida Negotiations Bring Key Figures Together On December 6, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ukrainian officials Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov announced a third round of talks scheduled for Saturday, December 7, at the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, Florida, following a productive Friday session and a prior Geneva meeting [1]. The delegation’s goal is to advance a U.S.–mediated security framework that could end the war and outline post‑war reconstruction [1].

Progress Tied to Russian Commitment on De‑Escalation All parties agreed that any breakthrough depends on Russia demonstrating a serious, long‑term commitment to cease hostilities, including withdrawal from the four regions annexed in 2022, a demand Putin framed as a “basis” for future agreements while warning of force if Kyiv does not comply [2]. Kremlin foreign‑affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov praised Kushner’s role, suggesting his “pen” could shape a settlement, yet Russian officials reiterated that land‑cession remains a non‑starter for Kyiv [1][2].

U.S. Blueprint Emphasizes Economic Reconstruction and Security Guarantees The U.S. proposal includes a Ukraine Development Fund to finance technology, AI, data‑center projects, and natural‑gas infrastructure, alongside joint deterrence capabilities and long‑term recovery initiatives [3]. European leaders, notably French President Emmanuel Macron, stressed the need for binding security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression, while NATO and EU officials discussed channeling frozen Russian assets into post‑war investment [2][1].

Ukrainian Leadership Shift Strengthens Negotiating Stance After anti‑corruption investigators raided Andriy Yermak’s home, he resigned and Rustem Umerov assumed the chief negotiator role, a change highlighted by both AP and BBC reports [3][4]. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine will not cede territory and that NATO membership is essential for its security, reinforcing Kyiv’s non‑negotiable positions [2][4].

Violence Persists Amid Diplomatic Efforts Despite diplomatic activity, Russian drones struck a central‑Ukraine house killing a 12‑year‑old boy, and Ukrainian drones hit a Russian port and oil refinery, underscoring continued hostilities while talks proceed [1][3][4].

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Timeline

Feb 24, 2022 – Russia launches a full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering a humanitarian crisis that later produces at least seven million refugees and reshapes global security calculations [1].

2022 – Russia formally annexes four Ukrainian regions, a move that becomes a non‑negotiable demand in later peace proposals and fuels Kyiv’s insistence on full territorial sovereignty [4].

Nov 2025 (Geneva talks) – Ukrainian and U.S. officials meet in Geneva, producing a revised version of President Trump’s peace plan that will be debated in Washington and Moscow in the weeks that follow [4].

Nov 30, 2025 – Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosts a four‑hour meeting in Hallandale Beach, Florida, with Ukrainian chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and President Zelensky praising U.S. support; Rubio calls the talks “very productive and useful” but says “more work to be done” on sovereignty and prosperity [1][5].

Nov 30, 2025 – President Donald Trump declares optimism that the Florida talks will advance the peace process, announces an indefinite pause on asylum applications, and continues a pressure campaign against Venezuela over drug‑trafficking concerns [2].

Nov 30, 2025 – Rubio stresses that Russia must address cease‑fire terms, prisoner releases, and security guarantees before any final deal can be reached, and a U.S. delegation—including Rubio, Witkoff, and Kushner—is slated to travel to Moscow “this week” to engage Russian officials [2].

Nov 30, 2025 – Following an anti‑corruption raid on his home, Ukrainian chief of staff Andriy Yermak resigns; Rustem Umerov assumes leadership of Kyiv’s negotiation team, marking a shift in diplomatic strategy [1][5].

Dec 1, 2025 – The same Florida delegation outlines a U.S. peace proposal that creates a Ukraine Development Fund for technology, AI, and natural‑gas infrastructure, while reiterating Kyiv’s refusal to cede any territory or abandon NATO aspirations [5].

Dec 2, 2025 – Special envoy Steve Witkoff travels to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin, a meeting confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and expected to test the revised Trump plan [4].

Dec 5, 2025 – President Putin says the Trump proposal could serve as a basis for future agreements but insists Ukraine must withdraw from all four annexed regions, warning that force will be used if Kyiv does not comply [4].

Dec 5, 2025 – Kremlin foreign‑affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov praises Jared Kushner’s role, calling his pen “the pen of Mr. Kushner” for any settlement, after Putin holds a five‑hour discussion with Witkoff and Kushner [3].

Dec 5, 2025 – French President Emmanuel Macron emphasizes the need for iron‑clad security guarantees that Russia will not attack again and seeks Chinese backing for the peace effort during a visit to Beijing [3].

Dec 5, 2025 – Hostilities persist despite diplomacy: a Russian drone strike kills a 12‑year‑old boy in central Ukraine, while Ukrainian drones hit a Russian port and oil refinery, underscoring the fragile cease‑fire [3].

Dec 6, 2025 – A third day of U.S.–Ukraine talks convenes in Florida to flesh out a security framework for post‑war Ukraine, with progress hinging on Russia’s demonstrable commitment to long‑term de‑escalation and peace [3].

Dec 2025 (ongoing) – NATO and EU officials negotiate the use of frozen Russian assets in Belgium to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction, a key component of the broader peace and investment strategy [4].

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