Ukrainian officials, left to right, Oleg Ivashchenko, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff, Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief to the Head of the Defence Intelligence and Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security, look on during a meeting, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Hallandale Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Talks between US and Ukrainian officials on ending Russia’s war with Ukraine got off to a “good start” and are taking place in a “warm atmosphere,” Ukraine’s first deputy foreign minister said on Sunday.
Ukraine’s first deputy foreign minister, Sergiy Kyslytsya, wrote on X that the meeting had been “very engaging” and “so far constructive”. He also praised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling it “great leadership.”
It’s been a good start of the ongoing meeting. Very engaging and so far constructive. Warm atmosphere, conducive to potential progressive outcome. Great leadership of @marcorubio. As in Geneva I appreciate the attitude of @jaredkushner , and how he lays out a vision. https://t.co/wlXZTi8nvx pic.twitter.com/EreqZjFAUV
— Sergiy Kyslytsya 🇺🇦 (@SergiyKyslytsya) November 30, 2025
Kyslytsya is part of the Ukrainian team taking part in the discussions, which are aimed at moving forward proposals first raised during earlier meetings in Geneva.
However, Rustem Umerov, the secretary of the national security and defence council in Ukraine, posted on X of the meeting on X and described it as focusing on “steps toward achieving a just peace”.
The meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and the American side on steps toward achieving a just peace has already begun in the United States.
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) November 30, 2025
I remain in constant contact with the President of Ukraine. We have clear directives and priorities: safeguarding Ukrainian… pic.twitter.com/herwCpylWd
Diplomats focused on revisions to a proposed 28-point plan developed in negotiations between Washington and Moscow. That plan has been criticised as being too weighted toward Russian demands. As the meeting began Sunday, Rubio focused on reassuring Ukraine.