Geneva: The United States and Ukraine announced on Monday that they are continuing intensive work on a refined peace framework aimed at ending the war with Russia, following a fresh round of high-level negotiations in Geneva. The joint statement issued after the talks described the discussions as constructive, emphasizing that the updated proposal is being shaped to reflect Ukraine’s core security and sovereignty concerns. The shift marks an important recalibration from an earlier U.S.-drafted plan that Kyiv and several European partners had criticized for appearing overly accommodating to Moscow.
The revised framework seeks to address the shortcomings of the original 28-point proposal, which reportedly included clauses on territorial concessions, military limitations, and restrictions on Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. Ukrainian negotiators, backed by European allies, insisted that these elements were unacceptable. As a result, officials say the refined version now prioritizes stronger security guarantees, long-term defense commitments, and clearer assurances that Ukraine’s sovereignty will not be compromised in the process of achieving peace.
Despite progress, significant challenges still remain. The talks did not publicly disclose how the framework handles the highly sensitive issue of territory. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that it will not accept any agreement that recognizes Russia’s claims over occupied regions. Additionally, the nature of future security guarantees whether bilateral, multilateral, or NATO-linked continues to be a central subject of negotiation. European governments have already submitted their own counter-proposal emphasizing the need for firm security architecture and rejecting any settlement that rewards aggression.
For Ukraine, the stakes of the Geneva discussions extend beyond military considerations. The country is managing the strain of continued Russian missile and drone attacks that have targeted energy infrastructure, deepening civilian hardship across major cities. At the same time, domestic tensions have risen due to a corruption scandal involving senior officials, raising concerns about public trust at a time when national unity is essential for both war efforts and peace negotiations. Ukrainian leaders have stressed that any agreement must preserve the country’s long-term sovereignty, resilience, and capacity for reconstruction.
On the U.S. side, pressure to accelerate the peace process has grown. While Washington initially pushed for a quicker decision from Kyiv, including an informal Thursday deadline, officials now signal greater flexibility as the refined plan undergoes further adjustments. President Donald Trump, whose administration backed the original proposal, has publicly urged Ukraine to show more openness to negotiation, though his remarks accusing Kyiv of displaying “zero gratitude” sparked a diplomatic exchange that Ukrainian leaders quickly sought to defuse.
As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak prepare for additional rounds of dialogue, the coming days are expected to be crucial. There are indications that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy may travel to Washington soon to continue high-level consultations. Whether the refined plan evolves into a mutually acceptable framework or becomes another stalled attempt will shape not only Ukraine’s future security but the broader European landscape. The Geneva talks underscore both the immense difficulty and urgent necessity of forging a peace that is sustainable, just, and strategically sound for all sides involved.