As a result of negotiations between Ukrainian and American delegations in Geneva on November 23, significant progress has been made in preparing an updated framework document regarding the cessation of Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to the joint statement from both parties, work on aligning positions continues, and the final decision on signing the agreement will be made by the presidents of both countries.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Significant Progress and Next Steps
The joint statement emphasizes that the consultations were extremely productive, and the discussions allowed for the identification of clear next steps. The parties confirmed their intention to ensure that any future peace agreement fully respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and guarantees a sustainable and just peace. Intensive work on joint proposals is planned to continue in the coming days, maintaining close contact with European partners.
“Both sides recognized the consultations as extremely productive. The discussions demonstrated significant progress in aligning positions and determining clear next steps. The parties confirmed that any future agreement must fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and ensure a sustainable and just peace.”
The final decision on signing the framework document will be made by the presidents of Ukraine and the United States. The parties confirmed their readiness to continue working together to achieve peace that guarantees Ukraine’s security, stability, and recovery.
Key Proposals and Reactions
The details of the amendments to the previously published 28-point peace plan developed by the administration of former US President Donald Trump are currently not disclosed. The initial version of the plan faced criticism from both Ukrainian partners and some American lawmakers, particularly Republicans. Some referred to it as a “wish list” from the Kremlin due to the concessions it included, such as de facto recognition of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk as Russian, the “freezing” of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia along the line of conflict, limiting the number of Ukrainian Armed Forces to 600,000 troops, gradual lifting of financial sanctions against Moscow, and enshrining Ukraine’s non-aligned status in the Constitution.
According to media reports, the alternative European plan does not require Ukraine to cede any controlled territory, and its army size could be increased to 800,000 personnel. Additionally, in this version, Ukraine could receive reliable security guarantees, and NATO membership would not be explicitly excluded. Russia, according to this plan, would not be granted a general amnesty for war crimes.
The head of the US delegation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasized the “huge progress” made during the negotiations in Geneva. He reported that Trump was satisfied with the course of the discussions. In turn, the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Andriy Yermak, noted that the parties are “moving forward towards a fair and lasting peace that the Ukrainian people deserve.”
A possible visit by Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington for consultations with Trump regarding peace settlement issues is also being discussed. It is expected that the negotiations will address the most sensitive aspects of the proposed plan, including potential territorial concessions.
European and African leaders plan to meet in Angola at an economic summit, where Russia’s war against Ukraine will be one of the main topics. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a phone call with Vladimir Putin regarding peace efforts in Ukraine. The Kremlin has not yet commented on the progress of the Geneva negotiations.