Ukraine and Western allies meet in Geneva as Zelensky eyes ‘positive result’

Top US and Ukrainian officials said they were making progress towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war as they discussed the American proposal to achieve peace despite concerns among many of Washington’s European allies that the plan was far too conciliatory to Moscow.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio described the first session of high-stakes talks in Geneva as “probably the most productive and meaningful meeting” since President Donald Trump returned to office in January.

Mr Rubio said the delegations would meet for a second time later on Sunday.

Defying that optimistic tone was Mr Trump himself, who used a lengthy online post to blast Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for US military assistance, while shying away from criticising Russia.

There was a sense of urgency underpinning the discussions: Mr Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to respond to the plan. But he also has suggested that could slide if there was proof of real progress and that the plan was not his final offer.

Some American and European supporters of Ukraine have panned the plan as too favourable to Moscow.

“This will ultimately have to be signed off by our presidents, although I feel very comfortable about that happening given the progress we’ve made,” said Mr Rubio, who was joined at the talks by army secretary Dan Driscoll and Mr Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Russia will also need to approve the final peace plan, Mr Rubio said.

The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, also confirmed an initial session of talks had concluded and that a second meeting would soon take place.

“I want to confirm that we had a very productive first session with the distinguished American delegation. We have made very good progress and are moving forward to a just and lasting peace,” he said.

“Very soon today the second meeting will take place, where we will continue to work on joint proposals with the engagement of our European partners. Final decisions will be taken by our presidents.”

Before the meeting, Mr Trump on Sunday used a lengthy online post to blast Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for US military assistance, while notably shying away from criticising Russia.

“With strong and proper US and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP,” Mr Trump wrote, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “would have NEVER HAPPENED”.

Mr Trump also took a swipe at US allies in Europe, writing, “UKRAINE ‘LEADERSHIP’ HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA”.

After Mr Trump’s post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “grateful” for US-led efforts on security, but stressed that “the crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war”.

“Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump for the assistance that – starting with the Javelins – has been saving Ukrainian lives.

“We thank everyone in Europe, in the G7, and in the G20 who is helping us defend life. It is important to preserve the support.

“It is important not to forget the main goal – to stop Russia’s war and prevent it from ever igniting again.”

“The leadership of the United States is important, we are grateful for everything that America and President Trump are doing for security, and we remain as constructive as possible,” Mr Zelensky said in a post on Telegram.

– Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions

The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the US to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals.

Mr Zelensky has said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs.

The proposal, originating from negotiations between Washington and Moscow, acquiesces to many Russian demands that Mr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory.

The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his people “will always defend” their home.

Before convening with US officials, Mr Yermak and his team also met with national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany.

The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favouring Moscow.

Speaking before Sunday’s talks, Alice Rufo, France’s minister delegate at the Defence Ministry, told broadcaster France Info that key points of discussion would include the plan’s restrictions on the Ukrainian army, which she described as “a limitation on its sovereignty”.

“Ukraine must be able to defend itself,” she said. “Russia wants war and waged war many times in fact over the past years.”

On Sunday, Mr Zelensky said that there was an understanding the US would take into account “a number of elements” in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine, but did not elaborate further.

“There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations,” he said.

“There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraine’s national interests.”

Previously, Trump said the US proposal was not his “final offer”.

“I would like to get to peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened,” Mr Trump told reporters outside the White House on Saturday.

“One way or the other, we have to get it ended.”

Mr Trump did not explain what he meant by the plan not being his final offer and the White House did not respond to a request for clarification.