Florida Talks Wrap Up Without Moscow, Zelensky Signals POW Progress

March 25 ------ Ukrainian and US delegations wrapped up a second day of talks in Florida aimed at finding ways to end Russia’s war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Russian representatives were absent from the talks, which began last Saturday and were initially expected to take place in Abu Dhabi with Moscow’s participation. The US delegation was led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, a senior adviser and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

In his evening address, Zelensky said Washington’s focus is currently divided. “It is clear that the US side’s attention at the moment is focused primarily on the situation surrounding Iran and the wider region, but Russia’s war against Ukraine must also be brought to an end,” he said.

Zelensky pointed to possible progress on humanitarian issues, including prisoner swaps. “There are indications that further exchanges may take place, which would indeed be very good news and confirmation that diplomacy is working,” he said, without providing details. The president did not clarify whether negotiations would continue, or in what format.

Earlier in the day, Zelensky urged allies to maintain pressure on Moscow, calling for tougher enforcement of sanctions and action against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” – tankers used to circumvent oil restrictions. “Russia’s shadow fleet must not feel safe in European waters or anywhere else. Tankers that serve the war budget can and must be stopped and blocked,” he said. The push comes as Washington has temporarily eased some restrictions on Russian oil exports to offset supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran, while European countries have so far held their sanctions stance.

Talks on pause

Separate trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine are currently on hold, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on March 19. “The trilateral group is on pause,” Peskov said, adding that contacts with Kyiv continue on humanitarian issues, including exchanges of prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers.

Ukraine has also confirmed delays. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhy said several rounds of consultations had been postponed, but not cancelled. “They haven’t been canceled or abandoned, just delayed,” Tykhyi said, adding that communication between the parties remains ongoing. The negotiations have slowed amid rising tensions in the Middle East, which have shifted Washington’s focus. Key issues remain unresolved. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from occupied territories in the east – a condition Kyiv has rejected.

Source: kyivpost.com