Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to regain Donald Trump’s goodwill on Sunday after the US leader openly criticised Kyiv during sensitive negotiations in Geneva aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Earlier, the US President posted on his Truth Social platform that Ukraine’s leadership “EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS,” referencing his proposed plan to end the nearly four-year conflict, a plan that aligns with some of Moscow’s demands.
Hours later, Zelensky responded on X, stating that “Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump for the assistance that, starting with the Javelins, has been saving Ukrainian lives.”
In Geneva, senior US and Ukrainian officials continued revising the 28-point draft proposal, with Ukraine affirming that the latest adjustments now accommodate several of its core positions. Rustem Umerov, the negotiator and secretary of Ukraine’s security council, said the current draft “already reflects most of Ukraine’s key priorities,” though it remains in the final review stage.
The original document from Washington had reflected elements of Russia’s tough demands, requiring Ukraine to surrender some territory, reduce its military strength, and commit to never joining NATO, while offering only broad security assurances and allowing frozen Russian assets to be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Trump has given Ukraine until November 27, Thanksgiving Day in the United States, to accept the proposal, although he has hinted that the timeline may allow some flexibility.
Since assuming his second term, President Donald Trump’s stance on the Ukraine conflict has shifted repeatedly, swinging from admiration for Russian President Putin and calling Zelensky a “dictator,” to imposing heavy sanctions on Moscow and suggesting that Ukraine could reclaim its occupied land.
What You Should Know
This exchange highlights the tense and shifting diplomatic landscape surrounding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, as President Trump pressures Kyiv to accept a peace plan while Zelensky works to maintain US backing during critical negotiations in Geneva.
The evolving US position continues to play a decisive role in shaping Ukraine’s military and diplomatic strategy.
