(MENAFN) Security assurances for Ukraine remain unresolved following recent negotiations in Florida between Ukrainian and U.S. officials on a potential peace agreement with Russia, according to reports citing officials. Discussions also touched on possible election timelines and territorial arrangements.

The Ukrainian team, led by senior security official Rustem Umerov in place of Andrey Yermak—who resigned as President Zelensky’s chief of staff amid a corruption scandal—met with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and informal adviser Jared Kushner for more than four hours. The session took place at the Shell Bay Club, a golf and racket facility developed by Witkoff in Hallandale Beach.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks as productive while emphasizing that “there’s still work to be done,” calling the negotiations “delicate” and “complicated.” A source close to the Ukrainian delegation said the discussions were “not easy” and that efforts to find agreements continue. Umerov publicly thanked Washington for its support, stating, “US is supporting us. US is working beside us.”

Reportedly, the negotiations explored potential timelines for Ukraine’s next elections and the possibility of land swaps with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently declared that signing a deal with Kiev is “legally impossible” because Zelensky’s presidential term expired last year, and elections have been postponed due to martial law.

Ukraine continues to reject Russia’s key demands, including troop withdrawals from Donbass and recognition of newly drawn borders. The precise nature and extent of any U.S. or Western security guarantees for Ukraine also remain unsettled. Zelensky offered a measured comment after the meeting, stating via Telegram that there had been “some constructive progress.”

Reports indicate that the U.S. will push for a finalized peace deal before providing formal security guarantees to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia insists that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions, adopt a neutral status, and prohibit nuclear weapons or Western troops on its territory, warning that failure to comply could trigger direct conflict with the bloc.

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