Washington and Kyiv affirmed on Sunday that any potential agreement to end the war with Russia must fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, following “constructive” talks in Geneva between American, Ukrainian, and European officials.
After a full day of meetings held to discuss the U.S. peace proposal—amid criticism that it leans in Russia’s favor—negotiators drafted an “updated and improved framework for the peace plan,” according to a joint U.S.-Ukrainian statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump had given his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, until November 27 to respond.
Kyiv, however, has been seeking amendments to the 28-point draft plan, which includes several of Russia’s hardline demands, such as ceding territory, downsizing Ukraine’s military, and pledging not to join NATO.
The joint statement said the talks were “constructive, focused, and grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace,” stressing that “any future agreement must fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.”
Both sides pledged to continue working on joint proposals “in the coming days.”
Despite a separate White House statement calling the talks “an important step forward,” the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv was struck by a Russian drone attack that killed four people, according to its mayor.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed “great optimism” on Sunday after what he described as “significant progress” in Geneva toward President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Ukraine.
“I am highly optimistic that we will reach the goal within a very reasonable timeframe—very soon,” Rubio said.
He added, “I assure you, the remaining issues are not insurmountable. We simply need more time,” and reiterated that Russia “will have a say.”
Earlier on Sunday, Rubio described the discussions as “perhaps the most productive and important… so far in this entire process.”
For his part, Ukraine’s chief negotiator Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office, said, “We have made extremely good progress, and we are moving forward toward the just and lasting peace that the Ukrainian people deserve.”
‘Zero Appreciation’
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that “Ukraine’s leadership has expressed zero appreciation for our efforts,” also accusing European countries of not doing enough to end the war—without directly criticizing Moscow.
Hours later, Zelenskyy responded on X, writing: “Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and to President Trump personally for the assistance that… saved Ukrainian lives.”
Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, wrote on Telegram following the evening strike: “The situation is truly horrific when Russian forces, despite ongoing negotiations, attack civilian targets, civilian infrastructure, and residential buildings… This is terrifying.”
The Ukrainian delegation noted a new version of the U.S. draft plan—yet to be published—which they said “already reflects most of Ukraine’s key priorities.”
Rubio confirmed that Trump was “fully satisfied with the information” he received on the “progress” made during the talks in Switzerland.
Rubio also signaled flexibility on the timeline: “We want to complete this as soon as possible. I believe we have made tremendous progress. I am very optimistic that we will achieve this very soon.”
A ‘Central’ Role for the European Union
Rubio noted that his delegation met Sunday “with national security advisors from various European countries.”
The Ukrainian delegation also met senior officials from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
European countries sought during Sunday’s meetings to ensure their involvement in the negotiations on the plan.
French President Emmanuel Macron, on a tour of Africa, spoke by phone with Zelenskyy, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was “skeptical” about reaching an agreement on the plan by November 27.
“Now the task is to make the plan… a workable document,” Merz said during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, noting that he had submitted a proposal currently under discussion in Geneva, which could enable “at least a first step on Thursday.”
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he spoke Sunday with Trump, as well as with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to discuss the Ukraine plan.
Meloni said it was not necessary to present “a full alternative proposal,” adding that the talks were at “a very delicate stage” and represented “a test for Europe.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that “Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny,” stressing the need for “full recognition” of the EU’s “central” role in any plan to end the war.
Eleven countries—mostly European—said in a joint statement on Saturday that the U.S. plan “will require further work,” expressing concern that it might leave Ukraine “vulnerable to future attacks.”
EU leaders are scheduled to meet Monday to discuss Ukraine on the sidelines of a summit with African leaders in Angola, while Macron announced a video conference on Tuesday with countries of the “Coalition of the Willing” supporting Ukraine.
AFP
