Negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine on Sunday focused on where the de facto border with Russia would be drawn under a peace deal, two Ukrainian officials tell Axios. They described the five-hour meeting as "difficult" and "intense," but productive.
Why it matters: Russian President Vladimir Putin — who's expected to meet with President Trump's envoy on Tuesday — insists Russia won't stop until it controls the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.
- The U.S. wants Ukraine to hand over territory there to convince Putin to make peace, but that would be a painful and politically explosive concession.
Behind the scenes: The U.S. side arrived at Sunday's meeting at U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's exclusive Shell Bay golf club near Miami hoping to make progress on the territory issue, which Witkoff could then present to Putin in their meeting.
- After an hour in a wider format, the meeting narrowed to three officials from each side — with the line of territorial control virtually the only issue discussed, according to the two Ukrainian officials.
- On the U.S. side were Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian side was represented by national security adviser Rustem Umerov, military chief of staff Gen. Andrii Hnatov and deputy head of military intelligence Vadym Skibitskyi.
- After the talks with their teams ended, Umerov held another one-on-one meeting with Witkoff. Umerov then called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to brief him on the talks.
- "It was intense but not negative. We really appreciate serious U.S. engagement. Our position is that we have to make everything to help U.S. succeed without losing our country and preventing another aggression from happening," one of the Ukrainian officials wrote to Axios after the meeting.
Between the lines: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had wanted to discuss territory directly with Trump, but Trump said he'd only meet Zelensky or Putin again once a deal is close.
What they're saying: At the end of the meeting, both sides expressed optimism.
- Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back from Florida to Washington on Sunday that he was briefed about the results of the negotiations and thinks "there's a good chance we can make a deal."
- A senior U.S. official said the talks on Sunday were "positive."
- "We have made significant progress in advancing a just peace and in bringing our positions closer to those of the American side. Our key goals — security, sovereignty, and a reliable peace — remain unchanged and are shared by the American side," Umerov wrote on Telegram after the talks.
What's next: Umerov is expected to meet Zelensky in Paris on Monday and give him a more detailed report about the negotiations, Ukrainian officials say.
- Witkoff plans to depart for Moscow on Monday and meet Putin on Tuesday.
- "The main question is where the Russians stand and if their intentions are real. Let's see what Witkoff brings from Moscow," a Ukrainian official said.
Go deeper: Inside the White House meeting that launched the new Ukraine peace talks
