The United States and Ukraine have agreed on an updated 19-point plan to end the war, but the most sensitive elements of the document will be decided at the presidential level, The Telegraph reports, citing sources familiar with the talks in Geneva.
According to the publication, direct talks between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy could begin as early as this week. A possible visit by the Ukrainian president to Washington is also being discussed unofficially. At the same time, the White House says that a meeting is not officially scheduled for this week.
The key issue of territories and future security guarantees between the US, NATO and Russia remains a contentious issue. The initial 28-point draft, which, according to the Telegraph, envisaged significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, has been reduced. The parties decided to “put in brackets” the most difficult provisions, leaving them for personal negotiations between the leaders. It is expected that Trump will also hold consultations with Vladimir Putin before a possible meeting with Zelensky.
At the same time, European countries have expressed skepticism about the chances of the Geneva talks for a real breakthrough. The Kremlin on Monday rejected the EU's counter-proposal to adjust the joint US-Russian plan. The Telegraph's sources in European diplomatic circles report that significant work still needs to be done on the document, and the lack of agreement from Moscow makes the prospects for the talks uncertain.
Against this backdrop, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron convened a “Coalition of the Willing” meeting in Geneva, but their teams did not see the final version of the peace plan. European leaders decided to act independently and accelerated plans to provide Ukraine with 140 billion euros from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the talks in Geneva showing "good progress," but German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that real movement is only possible after Russia joins the negotiating table.
The Financial Times previously reported that the US “peace plan” had been reduced from 28 to 19 points, but the details of the removed provisions were not disclosed. According to the publication, both delegations agreed that the most politically sensitive decisions would be made by Trump and Zelensky in a direct dialogue format.
