From left, special envoy Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner meet with the Ukrainian delegation led by Rustem Umerov (third from right at the table), secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, at Hallandale Beach, Florida, November 30, 2025. CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP
Even in silence, Steve Witkoff spoke volumes. As Trump's special envoy took a seat at the discussion table in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, November 30, his posture, gestures and evasive gaze betrayed a sense of discomfort. He was one of the US representatives hosting a Ukrainian delegation to discuss the new peace plan, the draft of which has already undergone major revisions after last week's talks with Europeans in Switzerland.
Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine's deputy foreign minister, sat across from him. In a message posted on X, Kyslytsya praised the two other Americans present, citing the "great leadership" of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the "attitude" of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, who impressed the Ukrainian for "how he lays out a vision." Witkoff was notably absent from the praise.
Before the cameras, Rubio took the floor. His presence continued to offer some reassurance to fears that Washington might abandon Ukraine or secretly push for a forced capitulation in exchange for lucrative trade deals with Russia. The goal, Rubio stressed, was not only to end hostilities. "It's also about securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent and with an opportunity at real prosperity," he said.
