Geneva Diplomacy Advances U.S. Peace Plan for Ukraine/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. and Ukrainian officials reported progress in Geneva over a contentious American peace plan aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The proposal, revised after pushback from Kyiv and European allies, now includes updated security guarantees and sovereignty protections. While optimism was expressed, key concessions and Russian involvement remain unresolved, with further negotiations expected.
U.S.-Ukraine Peace Talks Quick Look
- High-Level Talks in Geneva: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva to negotiate terms of a U.S.-backed peace plan.
- Contentious Peace Framework: The 28-point U.S. proposal initially sparked concern for being overly favorable to Russia.
- Zelenskyy’s Response: Ukraine reaffirmed commitment to sovereignty and appreciated U.S. efforts to revise key deal terms.
- European Allies Involved: Delegates from the U.K., France, and Germany joined to ensure the plan aligns with transatlantic security.
- Trump’s Deadline Looms: President Trump set a Thursday deadline but Rubio indicated talks could extend.
- Mixed U.S. Sentiment: Lawmakers raised concerns over the plan’s origin, with some calling it a Russian “wish list.”
- Next Steps: Talks may continue into next week with input from Russia pending; Turkish mediation also underway.
U.S. and Ukraine Report Progress in Geneva Talks, Provide Few Details
By Mark Carlson, Katie Marie Davies and Will Weissert
GENEVA — Senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials declared Sunday that they made headway in negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, even though few specifics emerged. The talks centered on a U.S.‑proposed peace framework that has raised concerns among many European allies for being overly conciliatory toward Moscow.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the session as “very worthwhile” and called it the most productive day in “a very long time.” He added, “I feel very optimistic that we can get something done,” but declined to provide details of the deliberations. He further downplayed a Thursday deadline set by President Donald Trump for Ukraine’s response to the plan, saying discussions might continue into Monday and beyond.
“This is a very delicate moment,” Rubio said, adding that what remains unresolved ranges from “semantics or language” to issues requiring “higher‑level decisions and consultations.”
The peace proposal, which includes 28 points, has alarmed Kyiv and European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that his country may have to choose between defending its sovereignty and preserving U.S. support. The blueprint appears to accommodate many of Russia’s demands, including territorial concessions that Ukraine has consistently rejected.
In a statement Sunday night, the White House said the Ukrainian delegation affirmed that their “principal concerns — security guarantees, long‑term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation and political sovereignty — were thoroughly addressed.” According to the White House, changes to the U.S. proposal now reflect “their national interests” and include “credible and enforceable mechanisms to safeguard Ukraine’s security in both the near and long term.”
Still, the original proposal remains contentious. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators said Rubio told them the plan was essentially a “wish list” for Russia rather than a genuine peace offer. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reported telling Trump that while some parts of the plan were acceptable, Ukraine’s sovereignty must not be compromised.
Rubio characterized the proposal as a “living, breathing document” that remains subject to change — and made clear that Russia will have a say in any final settlement: “Obviously, the Russians get a vote here.”
Ukraine’s delegation, led by presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak and senior adviser Rustem Umerov, asserted that they had made “very good progress” toward a “just and lasting peace.” This appeared at odds with Trump’s recent criticism of Ukraine’s leadership.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, acknowledged appreciation for U.S. support, while reiterating: “It was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war.” He said the American proposal may now reflect “a number of elements” crucial to Ukraine’s national interests.
European allies — the U.K., France and Germany — remain cautious. France’s Defense Ministry delegate Alice Rufo criticized the plan’s potential restrictions on Ukraine’s military, calling them “a limitation on its sovereignty.” Ukraine has insisted that it must retain the ability to defend itself.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed collaboration on the plan but questioned “who is the author of the plan and where it was created.” Meanwhile, Senate Democrats warned the blueprint resembled Russian talking points and said European allies felt “left high and dry.”
In related developments, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan scheduled a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to revive a 2022 grain export deal. Erdoğan’s outreach reflects broader regional diplomacy tied to the war’s settlement.
As negotiations continue, efforts toward a political settlement remain at an early stage — progress has been signalled, but the details remain opaque.
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