Negotiators from the United States and Ukraine convened in Florida for a weekend of discussions aimed at formalizing defense cooperation and charting a path to peace. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner led efforts to refine bilateral documents and frameworks through Sunday.

A central focus is a proposed deal leveraging Ukraine’s combat-tested expertise in unmanned aerial systems, with working groups drafting terms for drone technology exchange. Ukraine also seeks to finalize defense partnerships with eight Middle Eastern nations to integrate its specialized industrial capacity.

Negotiators remain deadlocked on the status of the Donbas region, as Ukraine rejects Moscow’s demand for full cession of eastern territory. Market participants are monitoring for any sign of pragmatism that could unlock long-term military-industrial collaboration and drive contract awards to Western defense firms.