Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday endorsed a preliminary peace framework developed with United States negotiators in Geneva, signaling potential momentum toward a broader resolution to the protracted conflict. Following intensive discussions, the original extensive proposal has been distilled into a concise plan, paving the way for the U.S. special envoy to travel to Moscow next week to engage directly with Russian leadership.
In his nightly address, President Zelensky confirmed that he reviewed the document with his negotiating team, highlighting that the guiding principles established within the framework could be expanded into comprehensive security and peace agreements. He stressed the mutual necessity of ensuring that any future security guarantees offered to Ukraine are genuinely robust.
Streamlining the Peace Proposal
The initial 28-point proposal underwent substantial revisions during talks held in Geneva, ultimately resulting in a streamlined 19-point framework. Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, confirmed that Kyiv and Washington had reached an agreement in principle on the majority of the plan’s components. Mr. Yermak also noted President Zelensky’s intention to discuss sensitive territorial issues directly with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Concurrently, President Trump, writing on Truth Social, affirmed that his team had made “tremendous progress” and finalized key elements with bipartisan input. He announced that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would travel to Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue a final agreement. U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is scheduled to meet separately with Ukrainian counterparts during the same period.
President Trump rescinded an earlier self-imposed deadline for Ukraine to accept the U.S.-backed plan, stating his only goal was “the end of the conflict,” and suggested Moscow had offered certain concessions without detailing them.
Core Differences Remain Over Territory
Despite the reported diplomatic breakthroughs, significant obstacles—particularly concerning territory—persist. A Ukrainian diplomat confirmed that territorial questions remain a central sticking point, warning that a final settlement is far from guaranteed even with consensus reached on specific mechanisms. Media accounts of the initial 28-point draft suggested that it included major territorial compromises by Ukraine, proposed ruling out a NATO membership bid for Kyiv, and mandated significant reductions in Ukraine’s armed forces, provisions widely viewed as favorable to Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains optimistic, noting after the Geneva talks that an agreement could be reached “within a reasonable period of time,” though high-level consultation will be required for remaining matters.
From Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov maintained that any final resolution must accurately reflect the foundational understandings previously reached between Presidents Putin and Trump. The Kremlin reiterated its position, stressing that Russia is seeking to achieve its objectives through diplomatic means and remains open to crisis negotiations.
Seeking European Security Reassurance
Amid the diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow, President Zelensky urged European leaders to formulate a plan for deploying a reassurance force in Ukraine and sustaining crucial financial support. Speaking at a video conference of the Coalition of the Willing—a consortium of approximately 30 nations supporting Kyiv—Zelensky called for explicit security backing.
Following the appeal, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the United Kingdom would organize a workshop, with U.S. involvement, to coordinate security guarantees for Ukraine. Furthermore, President Macron confirmed that France and other European Union member states are developing a comprehensive financial assistance package for Kyiv.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, carries severe human and economic costs. The upcoming negotiations will serve as a critical test of whether the streamlined framework can successfully bridge entrenched differences regarding security architecture, territorial sovereignty, and the future defense posture of Ukraine, or if the remaining gaps prove insurmountable for a near-term accord.
Further Reading: Consult official briefings from the White House and the Ukrainian Presidential Office for ongoing updates on disarmament talks and security proposals.