Ukrainian, U. S., and European officials met in Geneva to discuss a draft peace plan proposed by Washington to end the war in Ukraine. The plan includes significant concessions, such as Ukraine giving up territory, restricting its military, and abandoning its NATO membership ambitions. President Trump has set a deadline for Ukrainian President Zelenskiy to approve the 28-point plan. Many Ukrainians view these terms as surrender after years of conflict. Trump has indicated that the current proposal is not final.
There has been confusion about the plan’s creation, with European allies stating they were not involved in its drafting. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed that the aim is to create a proposal acceptable to Ukraine for negotiations with Russia, emphasizing that this process will take time. U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed Washington had authored the plan and defended it on social media. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said allies were willing to collaborate on the plan but needed clarity on its origins.
During the Geneva meeting, U. S. officials stated their goal was to finalize a deal beneficial to Ukraine, but nothing would be confirmed until Presidents Trump and Zelenskiy meet. Zelenskiy expressed hope that the discussions would yield fruitful results. Turkish President Erdogan announced plans to speak with President Putin about Ukraine.
The draft, which includes several demands from Russia, offers vague security guarantees to Ukraine and is seen as a risky moment for the country. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted that Ukraine’s borders should not be altered by force and that the EU must play a central role in the peace agreement. Russia has made slow advances on the frontlines, with significant casualties reported. Ukrainian infrastructure has been severely impacted by attacks, leaving many without essential services.
Domestically, Zelenskiy is facing challenges due to a corruption scandal involving his administration. While U. S. sanctions on Russia’s oil sector have given Ukraine some hope, the peace plan seems to favor Moscow diplomatically. Kyiv is reliant on U. S. intelligence and support to continue its fight against Russia.
As the Geneva talks began, high-level discussions were taking place, with Ukraine’s delegation led by Andriy Yermak, who has been in contact with security advisers from other countries. European leaders have stated that the U. S. plan serves as a starting point for negotiations but requires further development. Zelenskiy warned that the plan could jeopardize Ukraine’s dignity and freedom, while Putin has described it as a foundation for resolving the conflict, although he may challenge some aspects of the plan.
With information from Reuters