US Sees ‘Real Progress’ After Florida Talks With Ukraine, but Says More Work Needed for Peace Deal

The United States says “real progress” was made during high level talks with Ukraine in Florida this week, but emphasized that more negotiations are necessary before any final peace framework with Russia can be agreed upon.

Officials confirmed that the discussions took place near Miami at an exclusive venue developed by American real estate magnate Steve Witkoff a private location chosen to ensure confidentiality and security for the sensitive diplomatic meeting.

A Step Forward, but Not a Breakthrough

According to U.S. officials, the meeting focused on refining a draft peace plan that Washington and Kyiv have been developing for months. While both sides described the talks as productive, they acknowledged that several “core issues” remain unresolved.

“We’ve seen substantive progress, but there is still more work to do before we can reach a comprehensive deal,” a senior U.S. official said after the meeting.

Ukraine also noted that discussions were “constructive and detailed,” aligning both nations more closely on what a future peace settlement could look like particularly regarding territorial concerns, long term security guarantees, and international oversight of any agreement.

Context: A War Entering Its Fourth Year

The talks come as the Russia-Ukraine war is approaching its fourth year, with both sides facing mounting military, economic, and humanitarian strain. Although the U.S. and Ukraine have repeatedly said they will not accept any peace plan that rewards aggression, Washington has recently intensified diplomatic efforts amid shifting global dynamics and domestic political pressure.

This Florida meeting follows a series of quiet negotiations held in neutral locations across Europe and the United States, as Kyiv seeks stronger guarantees of long term military aid and Russia signals limited openness to negotiations through back-channel diplomacy.

Why the Florida Venue Matters

The venue a private club developed by Steve Witkoff’s real estate group underscores the strategic privacy surrounding the talks. Witkoff, known for developing luxury properties in New York, Florida, and Las Vegas, has maintained close connections with U.S. political and corporate circles. The seclusion of the resort provided an ideal environment for both delegations to meet away from media scrutiny.

What Comes Next?

The U.S. delegation is expected to brief European allies ahead of another round of discussions planned for early next month. American officials stress that any deal must be acceptable to Ukraine and aligned with international law, but they also acknowledge the growing urgency to establish a roadmap toward ending the conflict.

For now, Washington describes the trajectory as “encouraging,” yet cautioning that “no agreement is imminent.”