Hopes of a significant breakthrough in efforts to end the war in Ukraine were dampened on Monday, after Moscow dismissed a European proposal discussed by Washington and Kyiv as “entirely unconstructive”.
The United States and Ukraine announced on Sunday that they had drafted a “refined peace framework” during discussions in Geneva. Although no details were released, the talks were cautiously welcomed by some of Kyiv’s Western partners. However, the Kremlin swiftly rejected the European counter-proposal to a 28-point US peace plan. Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to President Vladimir Putin, said the proposal “at first glance… is entirely unconstructive and not acceptable to us”.
Ukraine’s delegation, which took part in the Geneva meeting with American officials, began its return to Kyiv on Monday to brief the government, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump hinted at positive movement in the negotiations.
“Is it really possible that big progress is being made in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine? Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Reports suggest Mr Zelensky could travel to the United States in the coming days, as Ukrainian and American officials attempt to advance the dialogue before Thanksgiving on Thursday. The visit will depend on how the Geneva consultations are assessed, officials told CBS News.
++ Fish facts that challenge what we know
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the discussions in Switzerland as “meaningful”, though he cautioned that both sides remained divided on several key issues. “I’d say this was probably the most productive day we’ve had since taking office in January,” he noted. “But there is still work to do, and that is what our teams are focusing on now.”
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, struck a similarly optimistic tone: “We have made very good progress and are moving towards a just and lasting peace.”
Addressing the second day of talks via video link from Sweden—where he was attending a summit on the future of Russian-occupied Crimea—Mr Zelensky emphasised that work with international partners, particularly the US, would continue. “We are seeking compromises that strengthen us, not weaken us,” he said.
He also insisted that Russia must be held financially accountable for the war, stressing that decisions regarding the use of frozen Russian assets were “critical”. “We are at a pivotal moment,” he added. “There is considerable media noise, political pressure, and an even greater responsibility for the decisions ahead.”
The fresh round of negotiations follows the Trump administration’s proposal to end the conflict, which would require Ukraine to relinquish territory and compensate the US for maintaining security guarantees. Under the 28-point plan—crafted after consultations between Washington and Moscow—the US would provide long-term protection for Ukraine. In exchange, Kyiv would abandon its NATO ambitions and European countries would commit not to station troops in Ukraine, effectively overriding British-led initiatives to deploy international peacekeepers.
++ London aquarium faces renewed scrutiny over penguin welfare
The plan has faced sharp criticism, particularly for its perceived concessions to Russia. Sir Alex Younger, former head of MI6, warned that Ukraine risked becoming Russia’s “tethered goat” under the proposal. He described the framework as “lopsided” in Moscow’s favour and said it would “almost guarantee” future aggression from President Putin.
