Ukraine sends Umerov to Florida for talks with Trump allies after Yermak resignation

The outlet, citing unnamed sources, said National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia were sent to Florida to meet with Witkoff and Kushner and continue discussions around a proposed peace plan. The trip has not been publicly confirmed by the Ukrainian or U.S. governments.

According to Bloomberg, Witkoff is expected to lead a U.S. delegation to Moscow next week for negotiations with Russian officials. The report did not provide details about the scope or mandate of the talks.

The Ukrainian delegation’s visit comes at a politically sensitive time, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces the resignation of presidential chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak amid growing domestic pressure over a corruption scandal.

On Nov. 28, Zelenskyy announced in a video address that Yermak had submitted his resignation after the National Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted a search of his residence. A presidential decree confirming Yermak’s dismissal was later published on the official website of the head of state.

Zelenskyy said that following Yermak’s resignation, Ukraine would be represented in any further talks with the U.S. by Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, Foreign Ministry officials, NSDC Secretary Umerov, and representatives of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency. The inclusion of intelligence officials has not been independently confirmed.

Yermak had reportedly planned to travel to Miami this week for meetings with Trump’s envoys. Financial Times journalist Christopher Miller initially reported that the trip was canceled due to his resignation but later clarified that the talks would proceed, with Umerov now leading the delegation.

Neither the Ukrainian side nor the Trump team has issued an official statement confirming the reported meetings, their agenda, or the version of the proposed peace plan being discussed.