US, Ukraine and European officials meet in Geneva for talks on peace plan
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Convoys of diplomatic vehicles shuttled through Geneva on the morning of Nov 23 as the talks were about to get under way.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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GENEVA - Officials from Europe, the United States and Ukraine gathered in Geneva on Nov 23 to discuss a draft plan presented by Washington to end the Ukraine war, after Kyiv and its allies voiced alarm over what they saw as major concessions to the aggressor Russia.
On Nov 21, US President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had until Nov 27 to approve the 28-point plan
For many Ukrainians, including soldiers fighting on the front lines, such terms would amount to capitulation after nearly four years of fighting in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Since the plan was announced, there has been considerable confusion about who was involved in drawing it up.
European allies said they had not been consulted.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X that Ukraine’s allies were ready to work on the plan, but added: “... before we start our work, it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created.”
A US official said US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had arrived on Nov 23 for the talks on ending Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“We hope to iron out the final details... to draft a deal that is advantageous to them (Ukraine),” a US official said. “Nothing will be agreed on until the two presidents get together,” the official said, referring to Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky.
Ahead of Mr Rubio’s departure for Geneva, Mr Trump said his current proposal for ending the war is not his final offer.
A US official said there would be coordination meetings on the morning of Nov 23 before talks started in earnest in Geneva.
There would be a full day of talks in different formats between US and Ukrainian officials, the official added.
Ahead of the Geneva gathering, there were also positive and constructive talks between US and Ukrainian officials, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A perilous moment for Ukraine
The draft plan, which includes many of Russia’s key demands and offers only vague assurances to Ukraine of “robust security guarantees”, comes at a perilous moment for the country.
Russia has been making gains along the front in the east and south of Ukraine, albeit slowly and, according to Western and Ukrainian officials, extremely costly in terms of lives lost.
The transportation hub of Pokrovsk
Ukraine’s power and gas facilities have been pummelled by drone and missile attacks, meaning millions of people are without water, heating and power for hours each day.
Mr Zelensky himself has been under pressure domestically after a major corruption scandal broke, ensnaring some of his ministers and people in his close entourage.
Kyiv had taken heart in recent weeks after the United States tightened sanctions on Russia’s oil sector, the main source of funding for the war, while its own long-range drone and missile strikes have caused considerable damage to the industry.
But the draft peace deal has caused major concern, as it appears to hand the diplomatic advantage back to Moscow.
Ukraine relies heavily on US intelligence and weapons to sustain its war against Russia.
Europeans draft plans based on US proposal
Convoys of diplomatic vehicles shuttled through Geneva on the morning of Nov 23 as the talks were about to get under way.
US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll was also in Geneva for the talks, while Ukraine’s delegation is led by the head of Mr Zelensky’s office, Mr Andriy Yermak.
Mr Yermak said his delegation met with the national security advisers from Britain, France and Germany and would next hold talks with the United States.
“We continue to work together to achieve a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine,” he said on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would speak with Mr Zelensky later on Nov 23 about the peace plan.
European and other Western leaders said on Nov 22 the US peace plan, which endorses key Russian demands, was a basis for talks to end the war but needed “additional work”, as they seek a better deal for Kyiv before the Nov 27’s deadline.
A German government source said a European draft peace plan, which is based on the US proposal, had been sent to Ukraine and to the US administration.
Before the talks, Mr Zelensky warned that Ukraine risked losing its dignity and freedom - or Washington’s backing - over the plan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the plan as the basis of a resolution to the conflict, but Moscow may object to some proposals in the scheme, which requires its forces to pull back from some areas they have captured. REUTERS
