Ukrainian Delegation Heads to U.S. for Critical Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced a new delegation led by security council secretary Rustem Umerov is heading to the U.S. to negotiate an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. The shift comes after a scandal-induced resignation and mounting pressure from Washington for a peace agreement amidst ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has appointed security council secretary Rustem Umerov to lead a delegation to the United States for pivotal peace negotiations aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine. This development follows the resignation of Zelenskiy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, amidst a corruption investigation.

Zelenskiy anticipates that recent talks in Geneva have set the stage for substantial progress in the upcoming meetings scheduled for Sunday in Florida. These discussions will include prominent U.S. figures, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, signaling high-level engagement from both nations.

Ukraine finds itself under considerable pressure from Washington to reach a peace agreement, as the country grapples with intense military challenges and a significant corruption scandal. Meanwhile, Russia's ongoing advances and targeted attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continue to exacerbate the situation, leaving Zelenskiy in a precarious position to defend his nation.

(With inputs from agencies.)