Marco Rubio insists peace deal must ensure Ukraine ‘never has another war again’ as top officials convene in Miami

On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a settlement that ends the war in Ukraine must guarantee “never have another war again.” The remark came as Washington and Kyiv negotiators gathered in Miami.

It happened just before Trump’s top envoy trio – Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and president‑in‑law Jared Kushner – flew to Moscow to pitch their latest proposal to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Their focus is on the two sticking points that stalled in Geneva last week: how much territory Ukraine might cede and what security guarantees Kyiv will obtain in return.

“This is not just about ending a war this is about ending a war in a way that creates a mechanism and a way forward that will allow them to be independent and sovereign and never have another war again,” Rubio told reporters as the meeting opened.

Rubio’s comments followed criticism that the 28‑point U.S. plan leaned heavily toward Moscow and could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian aggression.

A later 19‑point offer that Ukraine agreed to seems likely to be rejected by the Kremlin.

These talks came after Chief of Staff and leading negotiator Andriy Yermak resigned following an anti‑corruption raid on his home.

Yermak, expected to lead the negotiations, is being investigated over a scheme that allegedly forced contractors of Energoatom – Ukraine’s largest power plant operator – to hand over 10–15 % kickbacks or face blacklist status.

National security adviser Rustem Umerov has stepped in to drive the U.S.‑backed talks in Miami.

“I remain in constant contact with the President of Ukraine. We have clear directives and priorities: safeguarding Ukrainian interests, ensuring substantive dialogue, and advancing on the basis of the progress achieved in Geneva,” Umerov said on X after Sunday’s session.

“We are working to secure real peace for Ukraine and reliable, long‑term security guarantees.”

Trump’s delegation comprised Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner.

The talks were held at billionaire Witkoff’s Shell Bay golf club.

Both sides have been revising the original 28‑point plan that Trump’s team released earlier this month, after a review with Russian officials.

“The American side is demonstrating a constructive approach, and in the coming days it is feasible to flesh out the steps to determine how to bring the war to a dignified end,” Zelenskyy told reporters Saturday before the meetings began.

“The Ukrainian delegation has the necessary directives, and I expect the guys to work in accordance with clear Ukrainian priorities.”

On Tuesday, Witkoff and Kushner will present their updated peace plan to Putin, who last week declared that Russia will secure the territory it seeks either peacefully or, if necessary, through force.

Trump wrote on Truth Social last week: “I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or in its final stages.”