US and Ukraine Report Progress on Peace Framework After Talks in Geneva

The United States and Ukraine say they have made meaningful progress on an updated peace plan following several days of negotiations in Geneva. In a joint statement released on Sunday, both governments described the discussions as highly productive and said work on refining the proposal would continue in the coming days.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that negotiators had made a tremendous amount of progress in narrowing differences, though some issues still required further discussion before the plan could be presented to Russia. The original draft, leaked last week, drew mixed reactions. Moscow responded cautiously, while officials in Kyiv and several European capitals argued that the document was too accommodating to Russian interests.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Moscow had not yet received updates on the outcome of the talks. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the Swedish parliament, described the moment as critical for Ukraine. He said there were signs that President Donald Trump’s team was listening to Kyiv’s concerns and that Ukraine had succeeded in keeping key priorities, such as the release of prisoners of war, on the table.

Rubio said the Geneva talks had focused on reducing the number of unresolved points in the twenty eight item US plan. He added that any final agreement would require approval from both the US and Ukrainian presidents before it could be shared with Russia.

The positive tone from diplomats came only hours after Trump criticised Ukrainian leaders, claiming they had shown zero gratitude for US efforts to end the war. He also pointed out that European countries continue to buy Russian oil, despite presenting themselves as strong allies of Kyiv.

European leaders acknowledged progress but stressed that significant hurdles remain. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he had discussed the negotiations with Zelensky and noted that important issues still needed resolution. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also welcomed what he called significant movement while recognising that more work lies ahead.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the meetings were a decisive success for Europeans, noting that provisions affecting EU and Nato members had been removed from the draft. He emphasised that no agreement should be made without the involvement of both European and Ukrainian partners. European Council President Antonio Costa echoed this, saying a united EU position was essential for a successful peace outcome.

Reports have also circulated about a separate peace proposal drafted by the UK, France and Germany, though Rubio denied knowledge of such a plan. Several elements of the US backed draft have already generated controversy, including provisions that would see Ukraine withdraw from parts of Donetsk and accept international recognition of Russian control in Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea. Other points reportedly include freezing front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, limiting Ukraine’s military size and ruling out Nato membership in exchange for unspecified security guarantees.

The draft also suggests Russia could be reintegrated into the global economy, including a possible return to the G7. Trump had initially given Ukraine a deadline to respond but later said the plan was not a final offer.

Rubio said he remains optimistic that an agreement could be reached soon. He also insisted that the plan was authored by the US with input from both Kyiv and Moscow, rejecting claims from some US senators that it had been a Russian proposal.