Ukrainian and US officials are expected to meet in Switzerland in the coming days to discuss Washington’s proposed plan to end the war with Russia, a proposal Kyiv says must be substantially revised because it aligns too closely with some of Moscow’s toughest demands.
The plan, presented by US President Donald Trump, gives Ukraine less than a week to approve a 28-point framework that would require Kyiv to surrender territory, reduce its military strength, and commit to never joining NATO. The proposal has sparked alarm in Ukraine and frustration among its European allies, many of whom were left out of the drafting process.
European leaders, gathered at the G20 summit in South Africa, said the US proposal “requires additional work” and immediately began crafting a counteroffer aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position. The move reflects growing concern that the current draft could leave Ukraine weakened and vulnerable to future aggression.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that preparations are underway for consultations with international partners. After signing a decree naming his negotiating team, led by chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine’s representatives “know how to defend Ukraine’s national interests and what is necessary to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion.”
Security officials from France, Britain and Germany are expected to join the discussions in Geneva, sources at the G20 summit confirmed. Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s security council secretary, also pointed to Switzerland as the venue, calling the talks “another stage of the dialogue” aimed at aligning strategies for the next steps.
Zelensky’s decree also indicated that “representatives of the Russian Federation” would be part of the negotiations, though Moscow has not confirmed its participation.
More Work Needed
Western leaders at the G20 expressed serious reservations about the US plan.
In a joint statement, leaders from France, Britain, Germany, Canada and Japan warned that key elements of the proposal contradict principles they consider non-negotiable.
“We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack,” the statement said.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron told the summit that “the G20 may be coming to the end of a cycle,” noting the difficulty the group faces in resolving global crises. His comments were widely interpreted as criticism of Washington’s unilateral approach to proposing a peace plan.
With US backing dwindling after Trump’s return to office, European nations, especially Britain, Germany and France, have increasingly become Ukraine’s primary military and financial supporters.
Difficult Choice
In an address to Ukrainians on Friday, Zelensky acknowledged that the country is facing one of the most difficult decisions in its history. He noted that Kyiv would present alternatives to the US proposal.
“The pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest. Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner,” he said, referring to tensions with Washington.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, praised Trump’s plan as a potential blueprint for a final peace settlement but warned that Russia would seize more territory if Ukraine rejected negotiations.
Despite internal challenges and mounting battlefield pressure, Ukraine insists that any deal must safeguard its sovereignty. The Russian military continues to make slow but steady gains along the front line, while Ukrainians brace for one of the harshest winters since the war began due to Moscow’s crippling attacks on energy infrastructure.
At the same time, Ukraine is grappling with the fallout of a major corruption probe exposing misconduct in the energy sector, which has stirred public anger and added to political tensions in Kyiv.
What You Should Know
Ukraine, the US, and key European allies are preparing for critical talks in Switzerland aimed at revising Washington’s controversial peace proposal.
Trump’s plan, which demands territorial concessions and restrictions on Ukraine’s military, has triggered intense pushback in Kyiv and concern among European partners.
As Russia advances on the battlefield and Ukraine faces a harsh winter and domestic challenges, the upcoming negotiations may shape the next phase of the war, and Kyiv’s relationship with Washington.
