U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called on Ukraine to accelerate efforts towards a deal to end Russia’s war, warning that delays could harden Moscow’s position as fresh negotiations loom in Florida.
“Well, they’re getting close to something, but I hope Ukraine moves quickly. I hope Ukraine moves quickly because Russia is there,” AFP reported Trump saying in the Oval Office.
“And you know, every time they take too much time, then Russia changes their mind.”
Trump has been pressing for a rapid settlement to end the fighting triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Negotiating teams have been working on draft proposals aimed at halting the war, even as deep divisions remain over territory and security guarantees.
According to a White House official, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to meet Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, in Miami over the weekend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier confirmed that Kyiv’s officials would hold talks with US counterparts on Friday and Saturday.
The American delegation is also set to meet Russian officials separately in Miami, the official said. Politico reported that Russia’s economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, is expected to be part of the Russian delegation.
Moscow has yet to formally respond to the latest proposals, and President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly signalled that Russia intends to pursue its maximalist military objectives in Ukraine.
While Ukraine and the United States have indicated progress on discussions surrounding future security guarantees for Kyiv, significant disagreements persist, particularly over which territories Ukraine might be expected to relinquish as part of any settlement. - December 19, 2025
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