In the United States, we are working for real peace, Umerov declared

Negotiations are taking place in Florida between U.S. and Ukrainian officials on a peace deal aimed at ending the war between Kiev and Moscow, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said on Sunday.

"We have clear directions and priorities: protecting Ukrainian interests, ensuring substantive dialogue and building on the progress made in Geneva," Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's chief negotiator, wrote on the X platform.

"We are working to secure real peace for Ukraine and reliable, long-term security guarantees," he added.

Ukrainian negotiators are meeting with senior officials from the US administration - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser.

Rubio said he expected "more progress" from the meeting toward an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. "It's not just about peace agreements. It's about creating a path forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and prosperous. We expect to make even more progress today," the US Secretary added.

(reuters, hal)