On November 23, top officials from the United States, Ukraine, and national security advisers from France, Britain, and Germany convened in Geneva to engage in critical discussions regarding Washington's draft plan aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were scheduled to arrive on Sunday for these pivotal talks, which focus on ending the Russian invasion, now entering its fourth year.
On the preceding Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had until Thursday to approve a contentious 28-point plan. This proposal stipulates that Ukraine must agree to cede territory, accept military limitations, and renounce its aspirations to join NATO. A U.S. official expressed hopes of finalizing the details of a deal that would be beneficial for Ukraine, emphasizing that no agreements would be finalized until Trump and Zelenskiy meet directly.
In preparation for the discussions, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll arrived in Geneva ahead of schedule, while a Ukrainian delegation was expected to arrive on Saturday evening, confirming Ukraine's participation in the talks. National security advisers from the E3 alliance—comprised of France, Britain, and Germany—were also set to join the discussions, along with representatives from the European Union. Reports indicate that Italy will send an official as well.
European and Western leaders have indicated that while the U.S. peace plan, which aligns with key Russian demands, serves as a foundation for negotiations, it requires further refinement. They are advocating for a more favorable deal for Kyiv before the Thursday deadline. A source from the German government revealed that a European draft peace plan, which builds upon the U.S. proposal, has already been sent to both Ukraine and the U.S. administration.
Before the pivotal talks, President Zelenskiy expressed concerns that Ukraine could potentially sacrifice its dignity and freedom if it loses Washington’s support over the proposed plan. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin characterized the U.S. plan as a starting point for resolving the conflict, although Moscow may raise objections to certain aspects of the proposal that demands the withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories.
As the deadline approaches and high-stakes negotiations unfold in Geneva, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will restore peace and stability to Ukraine.
Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; additional reporting by Andreas Rinke in Berlin, Julia Payne in Johannesburg, and Anastasiia Malenko in Kyiv; Editing by Toby Chopra.