A Potential Shift in Ukraine’s Peace Stance
As U.S.-Ukraine peace talks entered a productive new phase in Florida this Sunday, a significant change in Ukraine’s diplomatic approach became apparent. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent a new delegation led by Rustem Umerov, replacing his longtime chief of staff Andriy Yermak. According to a former Ukrainian government official speaking anonymously to Fox News Digital, this personnel change signals a potential shift away from what they described as Kyiv’s previously “uncompromising” negotiating position. “Umerov is not a very impressively strong individual in politics, but he wants to achieve results and is known to be aligned with compromise,” the source noted, contrasting this with Yermak’s approach, who reportedly had been “teaching Zelenskyy to be a ‘Father of the Nation'” while “pushing for an unachievable and uncompromising position” in previous negotiations.
The timing of this diplomatic shift coincides with dramatic developments in Kyiv, where anti-corruption investigators recently raided Yermak’s home, leading to his resignation. The former official claimed that Yermak “was deeply distrusted by many actors, including Western actors including the U.S. administration and including Biden’s administration.” However, despite Yermak’s formal departure, the source cautioned that his influence might still be present behind the scenes, as “all the delegation that came to Florida includes Mr. Yermak’s people, his loyal people.” They explained that in Ukraine, as in many post-Soviet countries, there exists a “telephone rule” where powerful individuals can continue influencing decisions despite lacking formal authority – a practice the source alleges Yermak “has been doing for the last six and a half years.”
The Ukrainian delegation in Florida included Andrii Hnatov, head of the armed forces; Andrii Sybiha, the foreign minister; and Umerov as head of the country’s security council. After the meeting, Umerov offered a positive but brief assessment, expressing gratitude to “American people, American leadership and a great team” while describing the meeting as “productive and successful.” From the American side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior advisor Jared Kushner led the discussions. Rubio emphasized that their goal was not just to end the war but “to help Ukraine be safe forever” and to enable the country to “enter an age of true prosperity.”
These negotiations took place against a complex backdrop of diplomatic maneuvering and tragedy. Just hours before the talks, another deadly Russian strike on Kyiv killed at least one person and wounded 19, including four children, according to Euronews. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the war has left vast areas of Ukraine devastated and approximately 20% of its territory under Russian occupation. Adding to the complexity, Bloomberg News recently published a leaked transcript of an October 14 call where special envoy Witkoff allegedly offered advice to Russian officials on how to sell a peace plan to President Trump – a revelation that, according to the former Ukrainian official, suggested “the Ukrainian side had in some way undermined peace negotiations.”
President Trump himself commented on the negotiations while aboard Air Force One on Sunday, noting that he had spoken with Rubio and Witkoff and that they were “doing well.” While acknowledging that “Ukraine’s got some difficult little problems,” he expressed optimism that both Russia and Ukraine would like to see the conflict end, adding, “I think there’s a good chance we can make a deal.” This statement aligns with Trump’s campaign promises to quickly resolve the conflict, though specific details about his proposed framework remain largely undisclosed to the public.
President Zelenskyy, for his part, shared an update on social media platform X, highlighting Umerov’s work as delegation head and noting that “the talks have a constructive dynamic and that all issues were discussed openly and with a clear focus on ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and national interests.” He expressed gratitude to the United States, “to President Trump’s team, and to the President personally for the time that is being invested so intensively in defining the steps to end the war.” As these delicate negotiations continue, they represent perhaps the most serious diplomatic effort yet to find a resolution to a conflict that has devastated Ukraine, reshaped European security, and strained international relations for nearly three years.
