Kyiv Official Meets US in Florida on War-Ending Talks

Ukraine confirmed Thursday that its chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, traveled to Florida for discussions with American officials focused on ending the conflict with Russia. The talks come as broader diplomatic efforts remain stalled, according to a report from AFP.

Dmytro Lytvyn, a communications adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, told reporters in response to questions about Umerov's trip: "Yes, he went, and he has already presented his report to the president (Volodymyr Zelenskyy). Information about this will be available soon."

US-Russia Phone Call

On Tuesday, the United States held separate discussions with Russia covering recent developments in both the US-Israeli war on Iran and the Russian war on Ukraine. The US State Department said in a statement on its website that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, at Lavrov's request. The two discussed US-Russia relations and the wars in Ukraine and Iran.

"Secretary Rubio spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the latter's request, and the two sides discussed US-Russia relations and the wars in Ukraine and Iran," the department stated.

Strait of Hormuz Resolution

After the call, Rubio told reporters at the White House that he does not know whether Moscow will support the US draft resolution at the UN Security Council concerning the Strait of Hormuz. When asked about the likelihood of Russian backing, Rubio replied: "I don't know whether the resolution will escape a veto or not. Washington has redrafted the text of the resolution, and it is not complicated." He added: "I think this is a real test for the United Nations as a body capable of solving global problems."