U.S. and Ukrainian officials concluded a tense but productive round of talks in Geneva on Sunday, signaling movement toward a revised American peace proposal aimed at ending nearly four years of war with Russia.
The discussions, held at the U.S. mission, followed days of alarm in Kyiv and European capitals over an initial 28-point U.S. draft that called for significant Ukrainian territorial concessions, permanent limits on its armed forces, and a renunciation of NATO membership aspirations – terms widely viewed as heavily favoring Moscow.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leading the American delegation alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, described Sunday’s meeting as “probably the best we’ve had with Ukraine” since President Donald Trump took office in January. Speaking briefly to reporters during a break, Rubio confirmed that modifications are being made to the original plan.
“We’re working toward a solution that both Ukraine and the United States are comfortable with,” Rubio said. “Obviously this will ultimately have to be signed off by our presidents, but I feel very comfortable about that happening given the progress we’ve made today.”
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian delegation and chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, echoed cautious optimism and repeatedly thanked President Trump for his “commitment to Ukraine” before returning to the closed-door session. Minutes later, Zelenskyy himself posted public gratitude to Trump on social media.
The Geneva meeting came amid intense pressure from Washington. On Friday, Trump had given Kyiv until Thursday to accept the original proposal or risk losing U.S. support, though he subsequently described the current draft as “not my final offer.”
European allies, who were not consulted on the initial U.S. plan, submitted their own heavily revised version on Sunday that rejects permanent caps on Ukraine’s military and insists on stronger security guarantees and a central EU role in any agreement.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the objective remains a plan that Ukraine can accept and that could eventually form the basis for negotiations with Russia. “Right now, I’m not yet convinced we’re going to get the solution President Trump wants in the next few days,” Merz added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the U.S. proposal a potential “basis” for ending the conflict, though Moscow is likely to resist provisions requiring withdrawal from some occupied territories.
Ukrainian forces continue to face slow but costly Russian advances, particularly around the key Donetsk logistics hub of Pokrovsk, while millions of civilians endure prolonged blackouts after repeated strikes on energy infrastructure.
Diplomatic efforts are set to continue Monday when European leaders convene and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks directly with Putin. A separate U.S.–Russia meeting is expected in the coming days.