The United States and Ukraine said they made meaningful progress on a revised peace framework aimed at ending Russia’s war following intensive talks in Geneva on Sunday, marking what negotiators described as one of the most productive sessions since the process began.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, both sides said they had produced an “updated and refined peace framework,” signaling movement on several key issues while acknowledging that significant disagreements remain. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American delegation, said negotiators “moved faster in recent days than in previous weeks” but cautioned that finalizing a framework will require further work on security guarantees and Ukraine’s future relationship with NATO.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, the refreshed draft reflects more of Ukraine’s core security demands, though the full contents have not been disclosed. The statement emphasized that any eventual peace agreement must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and aim for what the U.S. described as a just and sustainable settlement.
Trump’s 28-Point Plan Sets the Backdrop
Much of the debate surrounding the negotiations continues to revolve around the 28-point peace plan originally supported by former President Donald Trump. That proposal has faced sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials and several European governments, who argue that parts of the draft — including potential limits on Ukraine’s military, restrictions on its NATO aspirations and the use of frozen Russian assets — could tilt the balance toward Moscow.
European governments have since circulated their own set of proposed revisions, calling for stronger long-term security guarantees and rejecting any framework that would leave Ukraine permanently outside NATO.
Within Washington, Trump’s plan has also become a point of contention. Lawmakers briefed by Rubio said he worked to distinguish the United States from some of the earliest elements of the proposal, though the State Department has not publicly detailed those conversations.
Trump, for his part, has continued to speak out about the effort, recently criticizing Ukrainian leaders for what he described as a lack of appreciation for U.S. involvement. His comments added fuel to concerns among European allies who fear political pressure could shape the pace and structure of the talks.
Kyiv Walks a Narrow Line
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his government is willing to engage in negotiations but will not accept any arrangement that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty or leaves the country unable to defend itself. Ukrainian officials have pushed back against claims that Kyiv has agreed to military caps or territorial concessions and have stressed that any settlement must strengthen Ukraine’s position, not freeze the conflict on Russia’s terms.
The Ukrainian delegation in Geneva has focused on securing binding security commitments, maintaining its defense capability and ensuring the framework aligns with Ukrainian public sentiment, which strongly opposes concessions to Moscow.
Europe Steps Up Pressure
European leaders have taken an increasingly forceful role in the peace effort as concerns grow over the implications of the Trump-backed proposal. Officials from several major European capitals have said they cannot support any deal that imposes long-term limits on Ukraine’s military strength or effectively bars the country from future cooperation with NATO.
Their involvement has added another layer of complexity to the Geneva negotiations, putting pressure on the United States to balance Trump’s preferred approach with broader Western security concerns.
Key Issues Still Unsettled
Despite the progress reported on Sunday, negotiators say several major points remain unresolved:
- How to structure long-term, enforceable security guarantees for Ukraine.
- Whether Ukraine will accept any limits on the size or structure of its armed forces.
- How the framework addresses the status of territories occupied by Russia.
- How to align the plan with NATO’s role and commitments from European allies.
Rubio said negotiators will continue working “in the coming days” to narrow these gaps, though no timeline has been set for concluding the talks.
A High-Stakes Moment for U.S. Foreign Policy
The Geneva discussions represent a pivotal point in U.S. diplomacy, with the Trump-backed plan still shaping much of the debate. What emerges from the next phase of talks could redefine Washington’s approach to Moscow, influence NATO strategy and determine the long-term security architecture of Europe.
A carefully crafted agreement could help stabilize the region and reduce global uncertainty. A rushed or unbalanced one, some officials warn, could embolden Russia or widen divisions among Ukraine’s Western supporters.
