Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, as the new head of Ukraine&rsquo;s delegation for peace negotiations with the United States, international partners, and Russia.
Umerov replaces Andriy Yermak, who resigned after anti-corruption authorities conducted a search at his residence as part of an investigation.
In a post on X, Zelensky said the Ukrainian team led by Umerov has already departed for the United States to advance discussions aimed at ending the conflict. 
&ldquo;Rustem delivered a report today, and the task is clear: to swiftly and substantively work out the steps needed to end the war,&rdquo; he stated.
The most recent talks between Ukrainian and US delegations were held in Geneva on November 23.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said his peace plan has been &ldquo;fine-tuned&rdquo; with contributions from both sides and confirmed plans to send envoys to Moscow and Kyiv to move the process forward.
&ldquo;There are only a few remaining points of disagreement&rdquo; in the 28-point proposal, he said on Truth Social.
Trump added that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, while US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll would hold discussions in Ukraine. 
He expressed willingness to meet both Putin and Zelensky, &ldquo;but only when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages&rdquo;.
The US president had earlier set a Thanksgiving deadline for Ukraine&rsquo;s agreement to the plan but later said he was open to extending it if progress continued.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, fighting persists on the ground, with Russia launching missile and drone strikes on Kyiv earlier this week.
&mdash;IANS

Ukrainian officials depart for renewed peace negotiations

Ukraine appoints Rustem Umerov to lead fresh peace talks with US, partners and Russia

Zelensky Names Umerov New Peace Envoy

Ukraine appoints Rustem Umerov to lead fresh peace talks with US, partners and Russia

November 30, 2025 | 11:17 IST