Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov to lead Ukraine’s delegation in peace talks with the United States, international partners and Russia.
Umerov replaces Andriy Yermak, who resigned after an anti-corruption search of his home. Zelensky said on X that Umerov’s team has departed for the United States to discuss steps toward ending the war. Previous U.S.-Ukraine talks were held in Geneva on the 23rd of November.
U.S. President Donald Trump said his 28-point peace plan has been ‘fine-tuned’ with input from both sides and that he is sending Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll meets Ukrainian officials.
Trump said he will meet Zelensky and Putin only when a deal is close. Trump, who previously set a Thanksgiving deadline for Kyiv to accept the plan, said he may extend it if progress continues.