US-Ukraine talks: Glimmers of agreement as Zelensky prepares his mission to Paris.

The talks held in Florida between US and Ukrainian delegations have opened a new chapter in the difficult effort to end the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump, briefed step by step by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, declared that there is a "good chance of reaching an agreement" and insisted on the need to halt the escalation, noting that over 27 people have been killed in fighting in the past month. While highlighting Ukraine's internal problems, particularly corruption, Trump affirmed that both Kiev and Moscow desire an end to the conflict.

No final text has been reached, but both sides speak of a "further step forward" compared to previous conversations.

Rubio: Real progress, but path still uncertain

At the end of the meetings, Rubio called the discussions "very productive," while admitting that many unresolved issues remain. According to the Secretary of State, any agreement must include Russia as a central player, which is why Witkoff is leaving for Moscow to assess the Kremlin's willingness to engage in serious negotiations. Rubio explained that the work done in Florida represents an evolution of what was discussed the previous week in Geneva, a process that is moving forward with caution and realism, but remains open.

Zelensky calls for a clear and respectful dialogue with Ukrainian sovereignty

From Kiev, President Volodymyr Zelensky has been closely monitoring the situation through daily reports from chief negotiator Rustem Umerov. The Ukrainian leader described the constructive momentum emerging from the talks as "important" and thanked Trump's team for their diplomatic efforts. Zelensky reiterated that discussions must maintain the country's sovereignty and the defense of its national interests as essential references.

The territorial issue and the search for a compromise: the most sensitive issues of the negotiations

Ukrainian sources cited by Axios described the consultations as complex due to American pressure to discuss a possible redrawing of the border with Russia. The United States reportedly asked Kiev to consider ceding some territories, including Donbass, to make an agreement acceptable to Vladimir Putin. However, this is a prospect Ukraine deems almost impossible to accept.

Furthermore, the Ukrainian delegation explained to its American interlocutors why Kiev cannot abandon the path to NATO membership. This is not simply a political choice, but a direction enshrined in the Constitution, which now represents an indispensable strategic line.

On the other hand, US representatives insisted on the need to find a compromise, recalling that even when Ukraine is "completely right," there is still another party at the table—Russia—without which a peace agreement cannot be reached. The American message was clear: negotiations require flexibility, because a solution can only be reached if both sides are willing to make concessions.

A negotiation made more difficult by the internal crisis in Kiev

The negotiations are also taking place at a delicate time for Ukrainian domestic politics. The replacement of Andriy Yermak, hit by a corruption scandal, with Rustem Umerov has reshaped the team charged with managing one of the most complex dossiers of Zelensky's presidency. Despite this, the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Florida with a solid structure, including top figures from the military and intelligence agencies, confirming the centrality of the territorial and security issues in the negotiations.

Zelensky flies to Paris to meet Macron

In parallel with the American negotiations, Zelensky has intensified diplomatic efforts in Europe. The Ukrainian president arrived in Paris today for his tenth visit to France since the start of the war and was welcomed at the Élysée Palace by Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders discussed the conditions for a "just and lasting" peace, continuing the framework outlined in Geneva and in close consultation with Washington. The visit also included a working lunch and public meetings with the president's wife, Olena Zelenska, dedicated to the cause of Ukrainian children and the promotion of culture as a tool of resistance. Zelensky's presence in Paris demonstrates his desire to keep Europe fully involved in the decisive steps of the negotiating process.

Anticipation for the meeting between Witkoff and Putin

The next stage of the diplomatic process is now in the hands of US envoy Steve Witkoff, who, along with Jared Kushner, will travel to Moscow to continue contacts and ascertain Russia's true position. The Kremlin's behavior in the coming hours will be crucial to determining whether the progress made so far can be transformed into a concrete negotiating path or whether it will remain merely preliminary attempts.

A fragile, but moving process

Despite the difficulties, the actors involved seem to recognize that the negotiations have entered a dynamic phase. Nothing has yet been decided, many disagreements remain profound, but discussions between the United States, Ukraine, and Europe are continuing on multiple levels. As Zelensky noted, these are "important days," in which even the smallest change can affect the entire balance of the conflict. The path remains long and bumpy, but the dialogue, for the first time in months, appears more vibrant than ever.