Allies Push Back on U.S. Peace Proposal in Geneva Talks

The United States Permanent Mission is shown in Geneva on Sunday, as Ukraine and its allies gather ahead of a meeting with a U.S. delegation to discuss an American peace proposal to end the war on Ukraine.

Ukraine and its Western allies gathered in Geneva on Sunday to deliberate over a U.S.-proposed peace plan aimed at ending Russia’s war on Ukraine. The plan, advanced by President Donald Trump’s administration, has stirred unease in Kyiv and across Europe, with critics warning it leans too heavily toward Moscow’s interests.

Led by Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, the delegation first met with national security advisers from the U.K., France, and Germany before preparing for discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Yermak described the mood as “constructive,” emphasizing that Ukraine and its allies remain committed to achieving a “lasting and just peace.”

European officials, however, have signaled that the American draft requires significant revision. According to reports, Kyiv’s allies are working on a counterproposal to ensure that any settlement respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and demands the full withdrawal of Russian forces. The Trump administration has set a deadline for Ukraine to respond, adding urgency to the Geneva talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the stakes, stating that a “positive result is needed for all of us.” He stressed that close coordination among Ukrainian, American, and European teams is essential to secure an outcome that does not compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

The Geneva meeting marks a pivotal moment in the diplomatic struggle over how to end the war. While Washington insists its plan offers a “win-win” resolution, Kyiv and its allies argue that peace cannot come at the expense of Ukraine’s independence. The coming days will reveal whether the U.S. proposal can be reshaped into a framework acceptable to all parties—or whether divisions will deepen further.