US President Donald Trump sees only “a few controversial points” in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Rutte’s deal against Moscow. The Kremlin reacted with annoyance to the leak of the phone call. More on the live ticker.
Meet here, meet there – America continues to put pressure on negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. European countries demand immediate clarity regarding security guarantees.
All events surrounding the war in Ukraine and security policy in Europe can be viewed live:
07:41 – Publication of Witkoff’s phone call intended to hamper Ukraine talks, Kremlin says
The Kremlin described the publication of a telephone call between senior Kremlin and US officials as an attempt to hinder talks on a possible Ukraine peace deal. When asked why the phone conversations were leaked, Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, told Russian state television: “Probably to get in the way. It’s unlikely this was done to improve relations.” Ushakov added: “Regarding Vitkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been made for him to come to Moscow next week.”
07:14 – Ukraine talks continue, Zelensky says
Zelensky explained that talks with the US regarding a peace plan were ongoing. An earlier report stated that Kiev had agreed to the terms of a possible deal to end the Russian invasion.
“Communication with the American side continues,” Zelensky wrote in X on Tuesday after a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “I am grateful for all of America’s efforts and personally for President Trump’s efforts.”
06:01 – Rutte: “Russia has no right to determine who is a member of NATO”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned of excessive expectations in the debate over a US peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. “It contains some strong elements, but also some difficult elements that require more work and negotiation,” Rutte told the German editorial network (RND) and Spanish newspaper “El País”. “We are still far from achieving our goal towards peace.” The peace plan is the basis of talks between Ukraine and America.
Rutte described the Geneva talks as a “real success”. However, the meeting was initially only a basis for bringing the US and Ukraine into real dialogue. “But this should be followed by further meetings, and then there should be separate discussions with the EU and NATO on some issues.” Rutte also announced that he would not accept a veto from Moscow over Ukraine’s accession. “Russia has no say and no veto over who becomes a member of NATO,” he said.
04:07 – Trump: Instructs Witkoff to meet with Putin
According to his own statement, US President Trump has instructed US special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Putin in Moscow. He hopes this will lead to a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. “There are only a few points of contention remaining.” The Secretary of State of the Army, Dan Driscoll, will meet with the Ukrainian side.
12:31 – Europeans have missed an opportunity, says Lavrov
From Moscow’s point of view, Germany and other European countries have wasted their chance to help find a solution to the Ukraine conflict. “You have a chance, friends,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, according to Russian agencies. “You don’t take advantage of these opportunities, you just waste them,” he said. In contrast to the Minsk Agreements in 2014, where Germany and France took on the role of mediators, there is now no talk of Germany and France as mediators, Lavrov said. Among the mediators, Moscow appreciated the positions of Belarus, Türkiye and Hungary. Moreover, the United States, which “is not like London, Brussels, Paris, Berlin” is taking the initiative to find a solution.
Tuesday, November 25:
20:13 – Insider: The surrender of territory is a sticking point in the peace plan
According to a Ukrainian diplomat, the possibility of surrendering territory is the main obstacle in negotiations over the latest peace plan. Therefore, a final agreement remains uncertain, although there is agreement on other matters. “This is a very difficult question for us,” the insider said.
18:26 – US: Detailed details of peace plan require further discussion
According to the US, sensitive details of the plan to end the war between Ukraine and Russia require further discussion. Although great progress has been made, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a post on
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