U.S. and Ukraine agree on security framework, State Department says after Dec. 5 meeting

The meeting, described as the sixth in two weeks, brought together U.S. special envoy for peace Stephen Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, and General Andrii Hnatov, chief of the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

According to the statement, the sides met over two days for “constructive discussions” on advancing a reliable path toward a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

“Secretary Umerov confirmed that Ukraine’s priority is to secure a settlement that protects its independence and sovereignty, ensures the safety of its people, and provides a stable foundation for a thriving democratic future,” the department said.

The participants also reviewed the outcome of a recent U.S. meeting with Russian representatives and discussed possible steps toward ending the war.

“Americans and Ukrainians also agreed on a security arrangement framework and discussed the necessary deterrence capabilities to support durable peace. Both sides acknowledged that genuine progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s willingness to demonstrate serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps to deescalate and stop the killing,” the statement said.

The two delegations also addressed a separate agenda focused on Ukraine’s future prosperity, with an emphasis on postwar reconstruction, joint U.S.-Ukrainian economic initiatives, and long-term recovery projects.

“The U.S. and Ukrainian sides stressed that ending the war and taking decisive steps toward a ceasefire and deescalation are essential to prevent renewed aggression and implement a comprehensive rebuilding plan aimed at making Ukraine stronger and more prosperous than before the war,” the statement concluded.

The State Department also confirmed that the next round of talks was scheduled for Dec. 6.

Earlier, Umerov had announced that the Dec. 5 meeting in Miami marked the sixth such session in two weeks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations discussing former President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

Umerov reiterated that Ukraine’s priority is a settlement that “guarantees the protection of Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty, the safety of its people, and lays the foundation for a successful democratic future.”

He said the delegations would reconvene on Dec. 6 to continue consultations.

Peace talks based on U.S.-backed plan

On Dec. 2, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin held a five-hour meeting at the Kremlin with Witkoff and Kushner. Russian media later reported that Putin arrived approximately two and a half hours late.

The parties discussed a proposed 28-point plan to end the war in Ukraine — a framework developed after U.S.–Ukrainian negotiations in Florida on Nov. 30.

Following the Kremlin meeting, Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said no compromise had yet been reached on the peace plan. He described territorial issues as “most important” to both Russia and the U.S.

At the same time, Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the meeting “productive.”

On Dec. 4, Putin said his conversation with Witkoff and Kushner was “very useful” and confirmed that Russia had rejected some parts of the peace proposal. He claimed the 28-point plan had been broken down into four packages currently under discussion between Moscow and Washington.