Published On 24/11/2025
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Last update: 03:28 (Mecca time)
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed “great optimism” about President Donald Trump’s plan to stop the war in Ukraine, while European leaders seek to search for a pivotal role in this framework.
This came after talks in Geneva with American, Ukrainian and European officials.
“I think we have made great progress,” Rubio told the press, adding, “I am very optimistic that we will reach the goal in a very reasonable period of time, very soon.”
He stressed that the remaining issues are not insurmountable. “We simply need more time,” adding that the Russians “will have an opinion.”
Reuters quoted a joint US-Ukrainian statement issued by the White House that the two parties had formulated an updated and revised peace framework. The White House said that it was agreed to continue consultations as the agreements move towards final formulation.
Earlier, Secretary Rubio reported that the Geneva talks “are probably the most productive and important… so far in this entire process.”
Very good progress
In turn, Ukrainian chief negotiator Andriy Yermak said, “We have made very good progress, and we are moving forward towards the just and lasting peace that the Ukrainian people deserve.”
This came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that the new version of the American plan already reflects “most of Kiev’s main priorities.”
But officials did not reveal any details about the discussions about the 28-point American plan that aims to end the conflict with Russia that has been ongoing for nearly 4 years.
US President Donald Trump had given his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, until November 27 to respond to the plan. The initial version of the document was met with objections from Kiev and its European allies, who came to Geneva on Sunday seeking to amend it.
Among those present on the American side at the talks are Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, and the Supreme Commander of NATO forces in Europe, General Alexus Grinkwich.
Russian welcome and German skepticism
For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the initial proposal, which includes several major demands from Moscow: that Ukraine cede territory, agree to reduce the size of its army, and abandon the idea of membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The text also provides Western security guarantees to Kiev to prevent any future Russian attacks.
The proposal also stipulates ending Russia’s isolation from the Western world, reintegrating it into the G8 and gradually lifting sanctions against it.
Yesterday, Sunday, Zelensky said that he was “personally” grateful to Trump, after he accused Kiev again on social media of “not showing gratitude.”
European countries participated in the meetings, seeking to be part of the negotiations on the plan.
French President Emmanuel Macron – who is on a tour of Africa – spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was “skeptical” about reaching an agreement on the plan by November 27./This November.
Very precise stage
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that he called his American counterpart yesterday, Sunday, along with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to discuss the plan for Ukraine.
Meloni said it was not necessary to present a “comprehensive alternative proposal” to the plan. She stressed that the discussions are at a “very delicate stage” and represent a test for Europe.
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “Ukraine should enjoy the freedom and sovereign right to choose its destiny.”
She stressed the necessity of “full recognition” of the “central” role of the European Union in any plan aimed at ending the war.
Eleven countries, most of them European, said in a joint statement on Saturday that the American plan “will require more work.” She expressed her fear that it might leave Ukraine “vulnerable to future attacks.”
European Union leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting on Ukraine today, Monday, on the sidelines of a summit with African leaders in Angola. The French President also announced a video meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, for the “coalition of the willing” countries supporting Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also discussed with Trump the talks that took place in the Swiss city of Geneva regarding the peace plan to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.
This came during a phone call that took place between them yesterday, Sunday, according to a statement published by a spokesman for the British Prime Minister’s Office.
The statement stated that the two sides agreed on the need to work together to achieve a just and lasting peace at this critical stage.