The United States on Sunday said its recent talks with Ukraine and European partners on ending the war with Russia were “productive and constructive,” as Washington continues diplomatic efforts to push for a negotiated peace.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff said the discussions, held in Florida, focused on aligning a shared strategic approach among Ukraine, the United States and Europe. In a social media post, Witkoff said the common priority was to stop the fighting, ensure security guarantees and lay the groundwork for Ukraine’s long-term recovery and stability.
He said peace must go beyond a halt in hostilities and provide a dignified and durable foundation for the future.
The talks are part of President Donald Trump’s sustained push to end the nearly four-year war. However, efforts have faced obstacles as Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart, with Russian President Vladimir Putin maintaining tough demands while Russian forces continue gradual advances on the battlefield.
Negotiations with Russia have also been ongoing. A Kremlin envoy said Saturday that discussions in Florida were progressing constructively and would continue. Russian media reported that envoy Kirill Dmitriev met Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, though there were no updates on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said diplomatic efforts were moving quickly, noting that Ukraine’s team in Florida had been working closely with the U.S. side. The Kremlin, however, denied that any trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States were under preparation.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman accused Russian forces of forcibly transferring around 50 civilians from the Sumy border region into Russia, demanding their immediate return.
In Europe, France said it welcomed Putin’s reported openness to talks with President Emmanuel Macron, adding that renewed dialogue could be useful once prospects for a ceasefire and peace negotiations become clearer.
Separately, European Union leaders agreed to provide 90 billion euros to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs over the next two years, funding the package through borrowing after failing to reach consensus on using frozen Russian assets.