Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
High-stakes peace talks between Ukraine, the United States, and European officials in Geneva over a U.S.-proposed peace plan have been described by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “probably the most productive and meaningful meeting we’ve had so far in this entire process since we became involved.”
The discussions, held at the U.S. Mission in Geneva, focused on a controversial 28-point American proposal that Kyiv has yet to fully endorse. Critics of the plan have argued that it could force Ukraine into concessions tantamount to capitulation, including reducing its armed forces, ceding unoccupied territory, and accepting Russian control over Crimea.
In remarks to reporters at the U.S. Mission, Rubio emphasized that any framework would require approval from both U.S. and Ukrainian presidents. “We’re making some changes and adjustments in hopes of further narrowing the differences and getting closer to an outcome that both Ukraine and the United States can be comfortable with,” he said.
The U.S. delegation included Rubio, Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Ambassador to Ukraine Julie Davis, Jared Kushner, State Department Counselor Michael Needham, Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker, and EUCOM and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. According to a U.S. official, Driscoll held “good meetings” with the Ukrainian delegation on Saturday night, describing the discussions as “positive and constructive.” More formal engagements between the delegations were scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
President Donald Trump indicated there was room for further negotiation, telling reporters, “No. We’d like to get to peace. One way or another we’ll get it ended.” However, he also criticized Kyiv and European partners, suggesting Ukraine had shown “zero gratitude” for U.S. efforts and highlighting Europe’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
Ukrainian officials struck a more measured tone. Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office and leader of the Ukrainian delegation, said the team was “in a very constructive mood” as talks with European officials began. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, emphasized that while the proposals were “still not finalized, [they] include many Ukrainian priorities” and expressed appreciation for U.S. efforts to understand Kyiv’s concerns.
President Zelenskyy, speaking after a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighted the importance of practical outcomes from the talks. “Our teams in Geneva are working with partners, and it is very important that there is a practical result that brings Ukraine and all of Europe closer to reliable peace and security,” he wrote on social media. Addressing the U.S., Zelenskyy added, “The leadership of the United States is important. We are grateful for everything that America and President Trump are doing for security, and we keep working as constructively as possible.”
Zelenskyy also reiterated that Russia is solely responsible for the ongoing conflict. “The crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war, and it is Russia, and only Russia, that has been refusing to end it throughout the full-scale invasion,” he stated, referring to continuing Russian assaults.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing on multiple fronts. A U.S. official confirmed plans for a separate meeting with a Russian delegation, though details on the location were not provided. Meanwhile, a high-ranking Ukrainian official warned that Washington had threatened a complete halt to U.S. assistance, including air defense missiles, intelligence sharing, and other military support, if Kyiv does not agree to the proposed deal.
Despite these tensions, Zelenskyy said diplomacy in Geneva had been “reinvigorated” and constructive. “The Ukrainian and American teams, as well as the teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I do hope that there will be a result. The bloodshed must be stopped, and we must ensure that the war is never reignited,” he wrote. He further stressed the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses as Russia continues nightly drone strikes, reporting that Ukrainian forces shot down or suppressed 69 of 98 drones launched over the weekend.
The U.S.-proposed plan, drafted in coordination with the Kremlin and with input from Umerov, has been criticized for including demands long rejected by Kyiv, including territorial concessions and restrictions on Ukraine’s military capabilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged receipt of the proposal but noted that it had not yet been fully discussed with Moscow. “Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under the illusion that they can inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield,” Putin said.
Domestically, Zelenskyy framed the situation as a difficult balancing act. In an address to the nation, he described Ukraine as facing a moment of profound consequence, needing to navigate between preserving “dignity” and maintaining key international partnerships. “I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will offer alternatives,” he said.
The authorship of the 28-point plan has also been disputed. While a bipartisan group of U.S. senators reported Rubio had described it as developed by Russia, the senator later denied these claims, asserting that the proposal was authored by the U.S. and incorporates input from both Kyiv and Moscow. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed skepticism, calling for clarity on the plan’s origins before further work proceeds.
The proposals have also drawn criticism from European and Ukrainian officials. A group of 48 current and former leaders warned that “any appeasement of Russia” would be “morally reprehensible” and stressed that strong American leadership is the only hope for upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
For Ukraine, the path forward remains precarious. While the Geneva talks signal progress and a willingness on both sides to negotiate, Kyiv continues to face the dual pressures of intense military threats and complex international diplomacy. Zelenskyy’s office reaffirmed that the ultimate goal of these efforts remains ending the bloodshed and securing lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe.
