Florida, March 22: Ukrainian and US delegations held fresh negotiations in Florida to discuss “key issues” and next steps toward resolving the Ukraine crisis, according to Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council. Umerov said the talks focused on coordinating approaches to achieve practical results and advancing the negotiation track.
The Ukrainian delegation included Umerov, parliamentary faction leader David Arakhamia, presidential office head Kyrylo Budanov, and first deputy head Sergiy Kyslytsya. The US side was represented by presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, White House Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum, and State Department Senior Policy Advisor Chris Curran. Umerov reported that the results of the first day of meetings were presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky, in a video address, highlighted that the discussions included assessing how willing Russia is to move toward a genuine resolution of the crisis. The talks were set to continue on Sunday to further explore these issues.
US envoy Steve Witkoff described the meetings as “constructive,” emphasizing efforts to narrow remaining differences and move closer to a comprehensive peace agreement. He noted the importance of these negotiations for broader global stability.
Russia, however, did not participate in the Florida talks, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming Moscow’s absence. Previous trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia were held in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24 and February 4-5, followed by a round in Geneva on February 17-18.
The Florida meetings mark another step in ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the Ukraine crisis, focusing on practical measures and evaluating Russia’s readiness to engage in meaningful conflict resolution. While the US and Ukraine continue discussions, Russia’s non-participation underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving a trilateral agreement. The engagement reflects both sides’ commitment to advancing dialogue and exploring potential paths toward a negotiated settlement.
Front line turns Ukraine into drone lab
In eastern Ukraine, soldiers and volunteers have turned front-line drone defense into a hub of rapid innovation. Facing waves of Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia, Ukraine’s 127th Brigade developed self-made interceptor drones in collaboration with local manufacturers, testing and refining them in real combat conditions.
Nonprofits like the Come Back Alive Foundation support scaling these efforts. Initially improvised, these low-cost drones now reach speeds over 200 km/h, effectively downing enemy drones. The program demonstrates how grassroots ingenuity, battlefield experience, and close military-industry cooperation have transformed Ukraine’s air defense into a model of agile, affordable drone warfare. (Agencies)
