US-Ukraine ‘constructive’ talks on ceasefire plan

Senior mediators from Ukraine and the US have jointly called on Russia to show a ‘sincere commitment to long-term peace’ to end the war in Ukraine. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security Council Rustam Umerov are meeting for two days in Florida

The two held ‘constructive talks’, the statement said. It said that ending the war in Ukraine depends on Russia’s willingness to take ‘steps to reduce tensions and stop the carnage’.President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also took part in the talks. The talks are scheduled to continue for a third day on Saturday.

Witkoff held nearly five hours of talks with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. Still, the Kremlin said that ‘no compromise was reached’ on the draft US peace plan. The Kremlin has said President Putin is willing to continue talks with the Americans “as often as necessary.”

But Ukraine and its allies have questioned the Russian president’s commitment to ending the war.After the first version of the US peace plan was leaked to various media outlets, many believed it favored Russia.

Kiev then pressed for a reassessment of the draft peace plan.Several major differences remain between the two sides, including security guarantees for Ukraine in the post-war period and territorial concessions.Kiev and its European allies believe that the most effective way to deter future Russian aggression is to grant Ukraine NATO membership or provide comprehensive security guarantees.