US, Ukrainian officials hold talks in Geneva on peace plan

• 'The Ukrainian and American teams, as well as the teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I do hope that there will be a result,' says Ukrainian president
• Zelenskyy says: 'Currently, there is an understanding that the American proposals may include a number of elements based on Ukrainian perspectives and critical for Ukrainian national interests'
• Andriy Yermak, from Ukraine delegation, says his delegation already met national security advisers of UK, France, Germany, Kyiv in 'very constructive mood'

GENEVA

Senior US and Ukrainian officials on Sunday are holding discussions in Geneva on a new proposal aimed at advancing peace efforts in Ukraine.

The exchanges involve a US delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. The Ukrainian side is being led by presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak. US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is said to be in Geneva as part of the delegation.

"Our intention is to secure the strongest possible outcome for the Ukrainians," a US official told Swiss news agency Keystone-ATS, stressing that the discussions remain exploratory in nature.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the teams in Switzerland are currently working "on the steps to end the war."

On US social media platform X, he said: "It is good that diplomacy has been reinvigorated and that the conversation can be constructive. The Ukrainian and American teams, as well as the teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I do hope that there will be a result."

Zelenskyy urged that the bloodshed must be stopped, and called for assurances that "the war is never reignited."

"I am awaiting the results of today's talks and hope that all participants will be constructive," he said. "We all need a positive outcome."

In a separate post, the president said the Ukrainian delegation already briefed Kyiv about the outcomes of their first meetings and talks.

"Currently, there is an understanding that the American proposals may include a number of elements based on Ukrainian perspectives and critical for Ukrainian national interests," he said, noting that further work is ongoing to make "all elements truly effective in achieving the main goal anticipated by our people: to finally put an end to the bloodshed and war."

National security advisors of UK, France, and Germany meet with Ukrainian delegation

Also on X, Yermak confirmed that the Ukrainian delegation began its work in Geneva by first meeting with "the national security advisors of the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany: Jonathan Powell, Emmanuel Bonne, and Gunther Sauter."

Noting that the next meeting will be with the US delegation, he said: "We are in a very constructive mood."

"Overall, a series of meetings in various formats is planned for today. We continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine," he added.

It was not immediately clear whether the EU will be part of the US-Ukraine meeting. The talks are expected to remain closed to the media.

A separate channel of conversation with Russian representatives is anticipated at a later stage.

28-point plan sparks concern

The 28-point US plan to end the over 3 1/2-year-old war is on the table in Geneva, where representatives of Washington, Kyiv, and European capitals met to discuss details.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the US-drafted plan would not be his "final offer" as the proposal has sparked concerns in Kyiv and among its allies.

The draft appears to require Ukraine to surrender additional territory to Russia, limit the size of its military, and formally abandon its bid to join NATO. Trump has given his Ukrainian counterpart until Thursday to respond.

Zelenskyy said he faces a tough choice, namely the "loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner."

On Saturday, the leaders of nine European countries plus Japan, Canada, and top EU officials expressed concern over the plan's proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces, warning that they "would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack."