Geneva Hosts Ukraine Peace Talks

Senior officials from the United States and Ukraine, along with national security advisors from France, Britain, and Germany, are holding talks in Geneva today (Sunday) to discuss Washington's draft plan to end the war in Ukraine.

Framework for Negotiations

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to arrive today for discussions on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war, which has entered its fourth year.

Rubio stated on Saturday that the 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine, which was presented last week, was prepared by Washington, despite claims from some senators.

Rubio wrote on X: "It was presented as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations, but it is also based on previous and ongoing inputs from Ukraine."

For his part, Senator Mike Rounds told reporters at a conference in Halifax earlier on Saturday that Rubio had contacted him and other senators, adding that it was a proposal received by the U.S. and conveyed to Ukraine. He stated: "He made it very clear to us that we are recipients of a proposal delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation, nor is it our plan."

Trump's Deadline Ends Thursday

U.S. President Donald Trump gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a deadline until Thursday to agree to the 28-point plan, which calls for Ukraine to concede territory, accept restrictions on its military, and abandon its aspirations to join NATO.

An American official expressed hope to finalize the details of a beneficial agreement for Ukraine, emphasizing that nothing would be agreed upon until the two presidents meet together, referring to Trump and Zelensky.

The official noted that U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll arrived in Geneva ahead of the talks, and Ukraine confirmed its participation.

National security advisors from the European troika, which includes France, Britain, and Germany, along with the European Union, will also join. Diplomatic sources indicated that Italy would also send an official to participate in the talks.

Basis for Ending the War Talks

European and other Western leaders stated yesterday that the U.S. peace plan, which supports key Russian demands, is the basis for talks to end the war, but it requires "additional work," as they seek a better agreement for Kyiv before the Thursday deadline.

A German government source mentioned that a draft of the European peace plan, based on the U.S. proposal, was sent to Ukraine and the U.S. administration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Ukraine risks losing its dignity and freedom or support from Washington due to the plan.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the plan as a basis for resolving the conflict, but Moscow may object to some proposals in the plan that require the withdrawal of its forces from certain areas it has controlled.