Washington/Geneva, November 25: The United States on Sunday hailed talks in Switzerland on a proposal to end the war in Ukraine as a “significant step forward,” after U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators agreed on an updated draft peace framework aimed at charting a path toward a negotiated settlement.
A joint statement released by Washington and Kyiv said the discussions produced an “updated and refined peace framework,” signalling progress after weeks of Ukrainian objections to an earlier draft that incorporated several of Russia’s hardline demands.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the American delegation in Geneva, where officials from Ukraine and Europe gathered to explore options for ending the conflict, now in its fourth year following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described the meeting as “a very productive first session with the distinguished American delegation.”
Kyiv has pushed for revisions to a previous 28-point draft that would have required Ukraine to cede territory, scale back its armed forces and pledge never to join NATO — concessions Ukrainian officials have repeatedly rejected. The fresh joint statement appeared to confirm that negotiators made adjustments addressing those concerns.
“The talks were constructive, focused, and respectful, underscoring the shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace,” the statement said. “The discussions showed meaningful progress toward aligning positions and identifying clear next steps.”
Both sides reiterated that any eventual agreement must “fully uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty” and provide for a sustainable peace.
A White House readout said Rubio and his team reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to ensuring that Ukraine’s sovereignty, security and long-term prosperity remain central to the diplomatic process. The delegations said they would continue refining joint proposals in the coming days.
