In brief
In a notable development for international relations, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that a 'tremendous amount of progress' has been made in finalizing a peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine war. After discussions in Geneva, Rubio emphasized that while significant strides were achieved, challenges remain before finalizing the agreement. Key issues include the leaked proposals perceived as favoring Russia, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted as a potential risk to Ukraine’s dignity and partnerships.
A 'tremendous amount of progress' has been achieved in talks to finalise a US-proposed peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said.
But 'there's still some work to be done', Rubio said after meeting Ukrainian and European negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated there were 'signals that President [Donald] Trump's team is hearing us'.
Concerns linger over leaked proposals viewed as favoring Russia, which were welcomed by Vladimir Putin as 'the basis' for a settlement. Zelensky warned that Ukraine might face a stark choice: losing dignity or risking the loss of a key partner.
Speaking to reporters late on Sunday, Rubio said the negotiating teams in Geneva had experienced a 'very good day'. He noted the primary objective was to narrow the 'open items' from the 28-point US plan, a goal they accomplished substantially.
However, any agreement will need approval from the Ukrainian and US presidents before being presented to Russia; a few issues remain unresolved. Some reports indicated the existence of an alternative plan from Kyiv's European allies, which Rubio denied knowledge of.
Earlier, Trump accused Ukrainian leaders of 'zero gratitude' for US efforts in the conflict, pointing out that European countries continue to purchase Russian oil amid the ongoing war.
The Geneva talks are predominantly centered around the US draft, which includes stipulations such as a Ukrainian troop withdrawal from contested regions and limits on Ukraine’s military strength. The draft also obligates Ukraine to refrain from seeking NATO membership in exchange for unspecified security guarantees.
As discussions continue, Trump has urged Ukraine to agree to the proposals by Thursday, signaling that this was not his 'final offer'. Rubio expressed optimism that an agreement could soon be reached, regardless of the specific timeframe.
