Kyiv, Washington revise U.S. peace plan in Geneva: Future deal must uphold Ukraine's sovereignty

Both sides described the negotiations as constructive, focused and "respectful," underscoring their shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace.

They called the consultations "highly productive" and said they demonstrated progress in aligning positions and outlining "clear next steps."

"They reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace," the statement said. "As a result of the discussions, the parties drafted an updated and refined peace framework."

Ukraine and the U.S. agreed to continue working on joint proposals in the coming days and to maintain contact with European partners.

Final decisions on the framework will be made by Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump.

Geneva consultations

Consultations between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations on the U.S. peace plan for ending the Russian-Ukrainian war took place in Geneva on November 23.

National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said the American proposals already reflect "most of Ukraine's key priorities." Zelenskyy also wrote that "there is an understanding that the American proposals can incorporate a number of elements based on Ukraine's vision and critically important for national interests."

European high-level officials were also planned to participate in the consultations. In addition, Britain, Germany and France prepared counterproposals to the U.S. draft peace plan, aimed at making it more acceptable to Ukraine. Reuters published the full text of the EU proposals, which, among other things, provide for Ukraine's possible NATO membership.

However, Rubio said he "hadn't heard" about the European countries' counterproposals to the U.S. peace plan.

U.S. peace plan

The Trump administration prepared a peace plan regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. Media reported that Washington worked on the plan together with Moscow, while Ukraine and the EU were not involved.

The plan has not been officially presented; media have disclosed it citing sources. It contains 28 points. Among them: Ukraine will be required to cede the rest of Donbas; halve the size of its Armed Forces; freeze the line of contact in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts; and recognize Russian as an official state language. The plan also calls for lifting sanctions on Russia and halting investigations into Russian war crimes.

Amid the emergence of the U.S. peace plan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recorded a video address in which he said Ukraine now faces a "very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner." He added that the Ukrainian side will "calmly" work with all partners to find a constructive solution, and he himself will "convince, propose alternatives."

EU foreign ministers stated they will not accept demands for concessions from Ukraine to end the war. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that Ukraine and its European allies must be included in creating a peace plan.