The US affirmed that the negotiations in Geneva (Switzerland) on November 23 have significantly narrowed the disagreements in the 28-point peace plan promoted by President Donald Trump. However, ensuring security for Ukraine remains an unresolved problem, amid growing concerns about subsidies against Russia.
During a long-term meeting in Geneva, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a Washington delegation to work with the Ukrainian delegation, after Kiev and many of its European allies expressed concern that the US-backed plan contained major grants to Russia.
Foreign Minister Rubio confirmed significant progress but admitted that there are still many thorny issues related to the role of NATO and security guarantees for Ukraine.
On the evening of November 23, European officials attended a negotiation round with the US and Ukraine after completing a notable amendment: The proposal for Ukraine to maintain larger military forces and territorial discussions must be based on an actual frontline, not a territorial framework that is considered beneficial to Russia in the original US plan.
According to the plan drafted by Washington, Ukraine must accept land transfers, reduce the current military size from 800,000 to 600,000 and abandon its goal of joining NATO - conditions that many Ukrainian soldiers have described as the front line after nearly 4 years of bloody fighting.
President Trump has set a deadline of November 27 for Kiev to accept the plan but insists it is not a "last proposal". Foreign Minister Rubio said that the US needs more time and the possibility of reaching an agreement on November 27 depending on progress.
However, officials on both sides are discussing the possibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveling to the US this week to work directly with President Donald Trump on the most sensitive issues, especially territory.
Since the plan was announced, Europe has repeatedly questioned the drafting process, saying it has not been consulted. Before arriving in Geneva, Foreign Minister Rubio had to speak up to confirm the plan "drafted by Washington", after some US Senators said it was like a "rich wish list of Russia".
One of the strongest criticisms was Sen. Angus King, who said Secretary of State Rubio had described the plan as not an official stance.
These controversies come as Ukraine faces an extremely difficult situation. Russia continues to advance deeply, despite its slow progress and heavy losses. The city of Pokrovsk intersection has been partially controlled; the Ukrainian army lacks manpower to prevent small but continuous attacks.
Ukraine's energy infrastructure has also been hit hard, leaving millions without power, water and heating for hours every day. President Zelensky is also under domestic pressure due to a corruption scandal involving several close officials.
Ukraine has recently been somewhat boosted in spirit by the US tightening sanctions on the Russian oil and gas industry and Kiev's UAV and long-range missile attacks that damaged Russian energy facilities.
However, the US peace plan - which is often seen as favoring Moscow - is causing the diplomatic balance to shift in an unfavorable direction for Kiev, which still depends heavily on weapons and intelligence from Washington to maintain resistance efforts.
