TWO FRONT WAR IN THE TRUMP ADMIN.

Rubio says 'more work to be done' after talks with Ukrainians on peace plan

SELINA WANG, KEVIN SHALVEY and PATRICK REEVELL
Sun, November 30, 2025 

Rubio says 'more work to be done' after talks with Ukrainians on peace plan

Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Sunday's meeting with a Ukrainian delegation on ending Russia's war with Ukraine as "productive" while acknowledging "there's more work to be done."

"We continue to be realistic about how difficult this is, but optimistic," Rubio said.

"We don't just want to end the war. We also want to help Ukraine be safe forever, so never again will they face another invasion," Rubio said after the meeting with special envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and the Ukrainian delegation concluded in Florida. Rubio emerged with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. They took no questions.

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"This is comprehensive. What we're working on here today. It's not just about the terms that ends fighting. It's about also the terms that set up Ukraine for long term prosperity," Rubio added. "But there's more work to be done. This is delicate. It's complicated."

Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters - PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Special Envoy Witkoff, and Jared Kushner meet with a Ukrainian delegation in Hallandale Beach

Overnight, Russia launched a deadly aerial strike on the Ukrainian capital, killing at least one person, injuring 19 others and damaging residential buildings, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said early on Sunday.

"Emergency response efforts are currently underway in Vyshhorod, Kyiv region, following the Russian attack," Zelenskyy said on social media. "Russia struck the city with drones, damaging numerous residential buildings."

Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Firefighters gather outside a residential building that was damaged following a Russian drone attack on the city of Vyshhorod, in the Kyiv region early on Nov. 30, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.More

Rubio also noted the U.S. has been "in touch in varying degrees " with the Russians. "We have a pretty good understanding of their views as well," he added.

Umerov echoed Rubio's sentiment and thanked U.S. leadership for its "tremendous work with us."

"We discussed all the important matters that are important for Ukraine, for Ukrainian people, and US was super supportiv. ... We already had a successful meeting in Geneva, and today we continue this success," Umerov said.

Doubts remain that Putin would actually agree to any plan that's deemed acceptable to Kyiv. He has already signalled he won't compromise -- saying any talks with Zelenskyy are "pointless."

Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: People look at a residential building on fire following a Russian drone attack on the city of Vyshhorod, in the Kyiv region early on Nov. 30, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.More

Sunday's talks were the first high-level negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine since they met in Geneva a week ago. Those talks had begun with a 28-point plan proposed by the United States, which through negotiations became a 19-point plan. But even that revised plan had not settled what were perhaps the most difficult issues -- including whether Ukraine would cede any territory to Russia and whether Ukraine could in the future apply for NATO membership.

Sunday's meeting follows Zelenskyy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak being forced to resign amid a corruption scandal that has rocked the country and left Zelenskyy without his right-hand man at a difficult moment.

Efrem Lukatsky/AP - PHOTO: A fire burns at a residential building after a Russian attack in Vyshgorod, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine, early Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025.

Umerov was questioned in connection with the scandal by investigators, according to Reuters and local media, but he has not been formally accused of wrongdoing.

Zelenskyy on Sunday morning said Russia launched a total in the last week of about 1,400 drones and 66 missiles, as well as over a thousand aerial bombs, against Ukraine, underlining the scale of Russia's increased air campaign as peace talks go on.