Ukraine talks ‘a step forward’ but road to peace is long, Europe warns

The U.S. has drafted a controversial peace plan for Ukraine that reportedly favors Russian interests, causing tensions among the U.S., Ukraine, and European nations. This plan, influenced by a Kremlin confidant, includes provisions that may require Ukraine to make significant territorial concessions, raising concerns about its implications for Ukrainian sovereignty.

Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns following recent peace talks in Geneva, warning that U.S. proposals may compel Kyiv to make unacceptable concessions to Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is at a critical juncture, facing pressure to accept terms that could undermine its sovereignty.

Negotiators for a peace plan regarding Ukraine have left the most contentious issues, particularly concerning territory claimed by the Kremlin but not occupied by Russian forces, to be resolved by former President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. This decision reflects the complexity of the ongoing conflict and the challenges in reaching a consensus on territorial integrity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism regarding amendments to a proposed peace plan following discussions in Geneva, although specific details on resolving territorial and security disputes between Moscow and Kyiv remain unclear.

Ukraine has made significant amendments to the US-proposed peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia, removing some of the more extreme demands initially included. This development comes amid ongoing negotiations and a potential meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former US President Donald Trump, as European leaders express skepticism about the speed of reaching a deal.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and former U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a phone call to discuss critical issues, including Taiwan and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as efforts to negotiate peace in the Russia-Ukraine war intensify.

The US and Ukraine are currently engaged in peace talks in Switzerland, aiming to finalize a 28-point peace plan that has faced criticism for aligning closely with Russian demands. This plan, which modifies an earlier US proposal deemed unacceptable by Kyiv and its European allies, raises concerns about potential concessions from Ukraine, including territorial cessions.

The Kremlin has dismissed a European counter-proposal to a U.S. 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, stating it is unconstructive and does not align with Moscow's interests. This response follows the unveiling of the U.S. draft, which has raised alarms in Ukraine and among European nations regarding potential concessions to Russia on NATO and territorial issues.