Ukraine has announced that an agreement has been reached with the United States regarding a peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia. This plan, which consists of 28 points, was presented to Kyiv by US officials during discussions held over the weekend in Geneva. US President Donald Trump confirmed this development on social media, noting that the initial proposal has been refined through collaborative efforts from both sides. He also revealed that he has ordered his Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, to travel to Moscow for discussions with President Vladimir Putin, while Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll is expected to visit Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Chief of Staff indicated that Driscoll’s visit is anticipated to happen this week. However, the Kremlin has expressed reservations regarding the new draft deal, stating that they have yet to be consulted on its revisions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cautioned that while Russia had initially supported the US framework, any significant alterations could dramatically change the situation moving forward. He emphasized that as of now, the Kremlin has not received the latest version of the plan and voiced concerns about Europe potentially undermining US-led peace efforts.
Despite the US administration’s efforts, critical issues have yet to be resolved, particularly those surrounding security guarantees for Ukraine and control over contested regions in the eastern part of the country. During a recent statement, Zelensky expressed his willingness to meet with Trump before the end of the month to address these “sensitive points.” He underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation, asserting that the outcome heavily relies on American involvement, given Russia’s pronounced focus on US strength.
While the White House appears cautiously optimistic about the potential for peace negotiations, European leaders remain skeptical. French President Emmanuel Macron stated he sees little indication of Russian willingness to agree to a ceasefire, and officials in Downing Street pointed out that significant challenges remain ahead.
As negotiations continue, there remains a glimmer of hope for resolving the prolonged conflict, contingent on the readiness of all parties to engage in open dialogue and address the persistent disagreements that stand in the way of peace.