Within the exclusive Shell Bay private members establishment, hosted by the Witkoff Group in South Florida, diplomatic teams from both Washington and Kyiv engaged in intensive, yet described as “very constructive,” discussions. These talks were punctuated by generous servings of Ukrainian Borsch, a traditional soup featuring beetroot and cabbage, which one attendee noted was “exceedingly hearty with meat.”
The presentation of this dish, alongside Holubtsi—classic rolls made of meat and cabbage—was perceived as a thoughtful acknowledgement of Ukrainian heritage. This act was viewed as a subtle, skillful diplomatic maneuver as the United States actively encourages Kyiv toward consensus on a potential peace settlement with Russia.
A source privy to the Florida deliberations—which included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law—informed CNN that the rigorous negotiations represented a “move forward,” building upon the foundation established during the prior week’s preliminary discussions in Geneva concerning the American framework for concluding the conflict in Ukraine.
“It’s far too early to suggest we’ve finalized everything; significant work remains outstanding,” the source communicated to CNN.
“However, the meeting was highly focused, and we delved deeply into the most contentious elements of the peace proposals,” the source continued, implying that tangible, albeit preliminary, advancements were achieved in certain areas.
One of the principal sticking points within the initial 28-point US peace framework involved the requisite for Ukraine to formally relinquish the constitutional ambition to join NATO—a primary objective for Russia as a condition for ending hostilities, a clause Ukrainian representatives staunchly continue to reject.
Nevertheless, the CNN source now indicates that negotiators conferred on a conceivable arrangement where Ukraine’s entry into the US-led Western military alliance would be effectively precluded through stipulations requiring direct negotiation between NATO member countries and Moscow.
“Ukraine will not be compelled, in a formal, legal capacity, to abandon this pursuit,” the source clarified to CNN.
“But should the United States reach a bilateral understanding with Russia, or if Moscow seeks multilateral assurances from NATO, this would occur without involving Ukraine in the determination process,” the source elaborated.
The source emphasized to CNN that a definitive decision on what would constitute a highly delicate compromise—one potentially unpopular among NATO allies—has yet to be reached and ultimately rests with the Ukrainian President.
This development suggests that concurrent with the ongoing US-Ukraine dialogue, and as Witkoff prepares for diplomatic engagements in Moscow at the Kremlin, inventive strategies are being explored to navigate Kyiv’s non-negotiable boundaries.
Another contentious element pertains to the Kremlin’s demand, also incorporated into the 28-point US proposal, for Ukraine to cede territory in the eastern Donbas region that Russia has claimed through annexation but has not yet militarily secured.
The American blueprint proposed that this area, which encompasses a heavily fortified “belt” of towns and cities vital to Ukrainian defense posture, be established as a Russian demilitarized zone, governed by Moscow but barred from hosting Russian military contingents.
The source, possessing direct insight into the discussions, relayed to CNN that talks are progressing on this particular issue as well—one of the most contentious aspects of the negotiations.
“The concept of relinquishing control to the Russians, in a manner that would significantly compromise Ukraine’s defenses, increase the probability of subsequent aggression, and substantially diminish Ukraine’s capacity, is off the table,” the source asserted to CNN.
“But that doesn’t preclude the existence of potential pathways that preserve Ukraine’s constitutional provisions while safeguarding its security,” the source added.
However, the source declined to detail the specific options under consideration, citing the issue as “too sensitive.”
“I genuinely believe public disclosure at this stage could jeopardize a potential resolution,” the source told CNN.
There is also a potential spoiler yet to emerge in the coming days: a Kremlin that has, thus far, demonstrated no inclination to moderate its maximalist demands for subjugating Ukraine as a precondition for peace.
Given the emergent signals regarding compromises being shaped by American negotiators on the Ukrainian side, the next, and perhaps greater, hurdle in America’s diplomatic shuttle effort may well be securing Russia’s acceptance of these proposed terms.
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