Delegations from Ukraine, the United States and the E3 format namely Britain, France and Germany met today in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss the peace plan presented by American President Donald Trump to end the war with Russia. A plan that, according to Trump himself, does not represent a “final offer” for Kiev.
The head of US diplomacy was present Marco Rubio and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who was received in Kiev by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, is also already in the Swiss city to participate in the talks. The Ukrainian delegation was led by presidential advisor Andriy Yermak.
Italy was represented by diplomatic advisor Fabrizio Saggio. The latter left his G20 work in Johannesburg to participate in the meeting, which will be held at the National Security Advisor (NSA) level.
Fill in the US plan
The plan, which is divided into 28 points, was revealed by various media and confirmed by diplomatic sources. Among the most controversial points are:
– handover of Crimea, Donbass and other currently disputed territories to Russia;
– creation of a demilitarized zone with the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army;
– strict restrictions on the Ukrainian army, with a maximum number of 600,000 troops;
– ban on the deployment of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory;
– an obligation for Ukraine to declare in its Constitution that it will never join NATO
According to US sources, the plan also envisages strong economic involvement: frozen Russian assets – estimated at tens of billions – were supposed to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Pressure on Kiev
Donald Trump gave Zelensky until November 27 (Thanksgiving in the US) accepted the plan, threatening to cut off arms supplies.
Zelensky responded carefully. In his speech, he spoke about “one of the most difficult moments” for Ukraine: the choice may be between “losing dignity” or “losing a key partner”. The Ukrainian president said he was ready to negotiate, but warned that he would do everything possible to defend national interests and that he intended to propose alternatives to the American plans, which he considered incompatible with Ukraine’s long-term security.
Europe prepares counter proposals
As Washington pushes for a quick deal, France, Germany, Britain and other allies told the G20 summit in South Africa that US proposal “unacceptable as is” and requires “additional work”. The main risk, they say, is leaving Ukraine too weak to face future Russian attacks, as well as creating a dangerous precedent of violent territorial changes.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “very concerned” by the US plans, while London and Berlin insisted the need for a common Western line before proceeding. Not only that: according to the Bild newspaper, the German government led by Friedrich Merz has prepared diplomatic countermeasures, deeply concerned about conditions deemed too conmissive towards Moscow.
According to CNN, a meeting between the delegations of Russia and the United States to discuss the proposed peace plan will take place in the near future, but will not take place in Geneva.
