By Harshit
GENEVA — Nov. 24, 2025
US and Ukrainian negotiators say they have made “significant progress” toward refining a controversial American-backed peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, concluding several days of quiet but intense meetings in Geneva. The updated framework is being positioned as more balanced than the leaked early draft — but still faces resistance in Kyiv and among European leaders who say the plan risks rewarding Russian aggression.
A joint US-Ukraine statement released Sunday described the talks as “highly productive,” marking the clearest indication yet that both sides believe a workable structure is within reach. But officials cautioned that major issues remain unresolved and that the final text will not be presented to Moscow until US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally approve it.
US Says Progress Is Real, but Major Issues Remain
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American delegation, said negotiators had a “very good day” narrowing the list of disagreements within the proposed 28-point plan.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of progress,” Rubio told reporters. “We closed many open items in a substantial way. But there is still work to be done.”
Rubio stressed that the agreement — once finalized — must reflect the positions of both presidents, adding that unresolved points will continue to be discussed “over the coming days.”
His optimism came just hours after President Trump publicly complained that Ukraine had shown “zero gratitude” during the process. Trump also criticized Europe for continuing to buy Russian oil, noting that Moscow relies heavily on its energy revenue to sustain the war.
Moscow Awaits Details but Signals Openness
The Kremlin said Monday it had not yet received the results of the Geneva meetings. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia is still reviewing the broader peace proposal, adding that discussions between Moscow and Washington have not yet moved into a “substantive” phase.
President Vladimir Putin recently said the US draft “could form the basis” of a final settlement, making the negotiations politically sensitive for Kyiv — which fears the plan, in its original form, leaned heavily toward Moscow’s long-standing demands.
Zelensky Warns of a “Critical Moment” for Ukraine
President Zelensky, addressing Swedish lawmakers on Monday, acknowledged that Trump’s team appears “to be hearing us,” but warned that Ukraine is being pushed into an extraordinarily difficult position.
“Ukraine may now face a choice between the loss of dignity or the loss of a key ally,” he said. “Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen. That is the main problem — not only for Ukraine, but for the entire world.”
Zelensky said Ukraine successfully kept “sensitive points,” including the release of all Ukrainian prisoners of war, on the table. But he emphasized that “real peace” remains far away.
Europe Pushes Back — and Demands Its Own Role
European officials, caught off guard by the initial leaked draft, have expressed cautious support for progress but insist that no agreement can bypass the interests of EU and NATO members.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Monday that “major issues remain unresolved” and that any decision involving NATO or the EU must be handled “on a separate track.”
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the Geneva talks a “decisive success for Europeans,” noting that several provisions concerning Europe and NATO were removed from the updated text.
“It was clear from the outset that no agreement would be reached over the heads of Europeans or Ukrainians,” Wadephul said.
European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized unity, saying an aligned EU position is “key to ensuring a good outcome for peace.”
What Remains Controversial in the Draft
While the full updated text has not been published, leaked portions of the original draft contained several highly contentious elements:
- Ukraine withdrawing from parts of Donetsk still under its control
- International recognition of de facto Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea
- Freezing battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia
- Limiting Ukraine’s armed forces to 600,000 personnel
- A pledge that Ukraine would not join NATO
- Sanctions relief and reintegration of Russia into the global economy
- Potential invitation for Russia to rejoin the G7, restoring the G8
The plan also includes “reliable security guarantees” for Ukraine — though no details have been publicly described. Kyiv and European officials say security guarantees without clarity are insufficient and potentially dangerous.
Deadline Pressure — and Confusion Over Ownership
Trump initially gave Ukraine until Thursday to accept the plan, but later said the draft was not his “final offer.” Rubio has since indicated that the timeline is flexible, saying progress could occur “this week, next week, or the week after.”
There is also confusion in Washington about the plan’s provenance. Several US senators claimed Rubio told them the proposal originated from Russia — a claim Rubio later denied. The State Department also rejected the senators’ account as “blatantly false,” insisting the plan was authored by the US with “input” from Kyiv and Moscow.
A Fragile Path Forward
With the Geneva round now complete, negotiators are shifting into a final phase — attempting to produce a version acceptable to Kyiv without losing Russia’s cautious engagement.
Zelensky has vowed not to “betray Ukraine,” even as he acknowledges the enormous pressure placed upon him.
“We will work calmly, quickly and with determination,” he said. “But our dignity and sovereignty cannot be traded.”
Ukraine’s fate may now hinge on what negotiators can salvage in the coming days — and whether the US, Europe and Ukraine can remain unified long enough to shape a deal that does not fracture the alliance supporting Kyiv.