Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed a positive outlook on a reworked peace initiative designed to bring an end to the war with Russia. A recent round of high-level talks in Geneva, involving the United States and European partners, has led to the revision of the initial 28-point US-backed plan into a more concise 19-point framework. This revised plan reportedly omits several of Russia’s more demanding proposals.
“The list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable,” Zelenskyy stated upon his delegation’s return from Geneva. He highlighted that the newly proposed 19 points incorporate essential elements that were previously lacking, making the path forward more realistic. The negotiations, spearheaded by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, with significant input from European leaders, focused on refining the initial proposal.
While welcoming the modifications, President Zelenskyy acknowledged the inherent difficulties in securing a final, comprehensive peace agreement. He emphasized Ukraine’s steadfast commitment to peace, declaring, “Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace – this is our principle, a shared principle, and millions of Ukrainians are counting on, and deserve, a dignified peace.” He indicated that Ukrainian officials would diligently work towards finalizing the plan, underscoring the critical importance of sustained global support and active participation from the United States.
Sources suggest that the US had actively encouraged Ukraine to accept its initial proposals, despite Kyiv’s concerns that the plan conceded too much to Moscow. Although official aid was not directly threatened, Ukraine perceived that rejecting the plan could potentially impact future support. While direct pressure lessened during the Geneva discussions, an overarching imperative to reach a resolution remained.
Significant changes in the peace plan reflect Kyiv’s key objections. European participants played a crucial role in removing clauses concerning territorial concessions in Donbas, limitations on Ukraine’s military strength, and blanket amnesties for alleged war crimes. Language that would have prevented NATO membership was also excluded. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz characterized the revised draft as “significantly modified,” and former US President Donald Trump hinted at a positive reception to the new approach.
The White House confirmed that the Trump administration and Kyiv have reached a consensus on the majority of the US plan’s provisions. Currently, there is no scheduled meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. President Zelenskyy reiterated his nation’s dedication to peace and its readiness to expedite negotiations, aiming for a “dignified peace” that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.