The United States on Sunday praised what it called a “significant step forward” in efforts to craft a peace framework for ending the war in Ukraine, following high-level discussions held in Switzerland. The White House emphasized that any eventual agreement must “fully uphold” Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A joint US-Ukraine statement released shortly after the talks confirmed that negotiators had produced “an updated and refined peace framework,” marking tangible movement in the long-running diplomatic effort.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the American delegation in Geneva, where officials from Ukraine, the United States, and several European partners worked to narrow gaps in their positions. The meeting aimed to advance a roadmap to end the conflict sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
President Donald Trump had set a November 27 deadline for Ukraine to respond to his proposed settlement plan. Kyiv pushed back against several provisions of the 28-point draft, which incorporated multiple hardline Russian demands—including territorial concessions, significant reductions to Ukraine’s military, and a permanent pledge to forgo NATO membership.
The release of a revised draft suggests that negotiators made meaningful adjustments to these controversial points.
“The talks were constructive, focused, and respectful,” the joint statement said, highlighting a shared commitment to “a just and lasting peace.” It added that the dialogue showed “meaningful progress” in aligning positions and outlining concrete next steps, while reaffirming that any final deal must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security.
Both sides agreed to continue refining joint proposals “in the coming days.”
According to the White House readout, Rubio and the US delegation reiterated Washington’s support for ensuring that “Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and future prosperity remain central to the ongoing diplomatic process.”
— AFP
