Representatives from the United States and Ukraine met in Geneva on Saturday to discuss a US peace proposal aimed at ending the war with Russia. The talks were described as focused, constructive, and respectful, showing both sides’ willingness to achieve a just and lasting peace.
US and Ukraine draft new peace framework
According to the White House statement, officials from both countries said the discussions were “highly productive.” They focused on aligning their positions and identifying clear next steps. Both sides agreed that any future agreement must fully respect Ukraine’s “sovereignty while ensuring a sustainable peace.” As a result, they drafted an updated and refined peace framework.
How the 28-Point plan blind-sided Ukraine
The controversial 28-point peace plan dropped suddenly by the Trump administration was the result of weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations between Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev, Bloomberg reported. Ukraine, its European allies, and even some key US officials were left out of the process.
The plan reportedly was discussed during an October meeting in Miami, where Witkoff worked alongside Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who previously helped with the Israel-Gaza peace deal. Rubio, the US Secretary of State, was briefed late in the process, and even Trump learned about the framework at the last minute.
The document would require Ukraine to cede major territory, reduce its military, and forgo NATO membership. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its European allies insist that any territorial discussions with Russia should only happen after the war stabilizes along current lines of contact.
Ukraine thanks US, President Trump
After the talks, the Ukrainian delegation expressed gratitude for the United States’ efforts, and specifically acknowledged President Donald Trump for his “tireless work aimed at ending the war and the loss of life.”
Ukraine and the US agreed to continue working closely in the coming days, while keeping their European partners informed as the process moves forward. Final decisions under the framework will be made by the Presidents of both countries. “Both sides reiterated their readiness to continue working together to secure a peace that ensures Ukraine’s security, stability, and reconstruction,” the statement read further.
Negotiators in Geneva worked behind the scenes to refine a 28-point US draft plan. Earlier, Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s Security Council Secretary and lead negotiator, said the current version already reflects most of Ukraine’s key priorities, though it is still pending final approval.
In Geneva, Ukrainian officials also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called the opening session “probably the most productive and meaningful meeting” since the start of Trump’s second term.
Rubio said both delegations would meet again later Sunday. “This will ultimately have to be signed off by our presidents, though I feel confident that will happen given the progress,” he told reporters. He also added that Russia’s approval would be required for any final agreement.
Public exchange between Trump and Zelensky
Earlier, US President Donald Trump accused Kyiv of showing “zero gratitude” for the US peace proposal. Speaking on his Truth Social account, he said Ukraine’s leadership had not appreciated the effort, which included several concessions to Russia. This comes after United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio distanced the US from the 28-point peace plan drafted earlier, telling lawmakers it was some ‘Russian wish list’ and not the original US proposal
Hours later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded on X with a conciliatory message, thanking the United States, all Americans, and President Trump personally. “Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump for the assistance that — starting with the Javelins — has been saving Ukrainian lives.”
