CNN reported the information.High-stakes negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations at the exclusive Shell Bay private members club in South Florida have yielded what sources describe as cautious progress toward ending the war with Russia, though significant hurdles remain before any deal can be finalized.The intensive talks—featuring U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law—were characterized as "tough but very constructive" by a source with direct knowledge of the discussions. The meetings, which included traditional Ukrainian dishes like Borsch and Holubtsi, represented what attendees viewed as a diplomatic gesture toward Ukrainian culture as Washington attempted to broker a peace agreement."It would be very premature to say we finalized everything here as a lot of things have still to be done," the source told CNN, adding that the Florida session "built on progress in Geneva," where initial discussions on U.S. peace proposals took place last week.Among the most contentious issues is Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations—a constitutional commitment that Russia has demanded Kyiv abandon as a condition for peace. However, negotiators are now exploring a workaround that would avoid forcing Ukraine to formally renounce its NATO ambitions."Ukraine will not be pushed to officially, in the legal sense, reject this aspiration," the source explained. Instead, arrangements could be negotiated directly between NATO member states and Moscow that would effectively prevent Ukrainian membership without requiring Kyiv's explicit rejection. "If the United States has something to agree upon with Russia bilaterally, or if Russia wants to receive some assurances from NATO multilaterally, then this is not engaging Ukraine in the decision-making process," the source said.Discussions have also advanced on another explosive issue: Russian demands for Ukrainian territory in the Donbas region. The original 28-point U.S. proposal suggested creating a Russian-administered demilitarized zone in areas Moscow has annexed but not conquered—a plan that would include strategically vital Ukrainian defensive positions."The idea to give up the control to Russians, where it would significantly weaken Ukraine's defense and make further potential aggression more likely to happen and significantly decrease Ukraine's capability, this is out of the scope," the source stated, while suggesting alternative solutions are being considered. "That doesn't mean that there are no potential ways of preserving the constitutional provisions and keeping Ukraine's security."The source declined to elaborate on specific options under discussion, citing the sensitivity of the negotiations. "I really believe that if it becomes public, we may ruin the potential solution."While Ukrainian flexibility appears to be emerging through American mediation, the ultimate test lies ahead in Moscow. As Witkoff prepares for Kremlin talks, the critical question remains whether Russia—which has maintained maximalist demands throughout the conflict—will accept any compromise that falls short of its stated goals for subjugating Ukraine.