Senior American and Ukrainian officials concluded a sixth round of high-level discussions on Friday, characterizing the dialogue as constructive while emphasizing that any sustainable peace resolution remains contingent on Russia’s genuine commitment to de-escalation. The bilateral meeting featured US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former senior advisor to President Donald Trump, engaging with Ukraine’s negotiation team led by National Security Secretary Rustem Umerov and Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov.
The joint statement issued post-negotiations outlined significant progress in establishing security arrangement frameworks and deterrence mechanisms. Both delegations concurred that achieving ceasefire conditions and tension reduction are prerequisite to implementing Ukraine’s comprehensive redevelopment strategy, designed to rebuild the nation into a more prosperous state than its pre-war condition.
Despite these advancements, the path toward resolution faces substantial hurdles. Tuesday’s five-hour Moscow negotiations between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin yielded no compromise, according to Kremlin assessments. Two primary contentious issues persist: the status of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and concrete security guarantees for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The discussions also addressed Ukraine’s post-conflict reconstruction and economic cooperation initiatives with the United States. Ukrainian representatives reiterated that any settlement must prioritize protecting national independence, ensuring citizen safety, and establishing foundations for a democratic future.
The negotiating teams are scheduled to reconvene in Florida on Saturday for further deliberations, continuing the intensive diplomatic process that has now entered its sixth session within a fortnight.