Listen: What's in the US peace plan for Ukraine and where Europe stands

US and Ukrainian officials say progress has been made in Geneva during talks aimed at ending the war. US secretary of state Marco Rubio described the discussions as “tremendous”, “productive”, and the most meaningful to date, although he emphasised that more work is still needed. But what does the US plan include and what is Europe’s reaction to it?

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US and Ukrainian officials say progress has been made in Geneva during talks aimed at ending the war. US secretary of state Marco Rubio described the discussions as “tremendous”, “productive”, and the most meaningful to date, although he emphasised that more work is still needed. But what does the US plan include and what is Europe’s reaction to it?

The talks centred on a 28-point US proposal first presented to president Volodymyr Zelensky last week. Reports indicate the initial version of the plan required Ukraine to withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region it still controls, acknowledged Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea, placed a limit on Ukraine’s armed forces, and committed Kyiv to remaining outside Nato, while allowing for potential EU membership. The plan also included provisions to reintegrate Russia into the global economy.

President Trump initially set a deadline of 27 November for Ukraine to accept the proposal, but later said the date was flexible and that the offer was not final. Over the weekend, US officials said revisions and clarifications were made in Geneva, and that Ukrainian negotiators now believe the updated draft reflects their national interests and offers credible security guarantees, while the full revised text has not been released.

European leaders have expressed substantial concerns. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stated that borders cannot be changed by force, that a sovereign nation should not face restrictions on its armed forces that leave it vulnerable to future attack, and that the European Union must play a central role in securing peace. France, Germany, and the UK have drafted a counter-proposal that removes references to territorial concessions and deletes language recognising Russian control of Crimea, Donetsk, or Luhansk. Their version places a ceasefire first and uses the current front line as the basis for any future territorial discussions.

Ukraine has indicated that progress is real. President Zelensky said that the updated US proposals may now include elements based on Ukrainian perspectives and essential to their national interests. Meanwhile, markets reacted quickly: European defence stocks fell for the second consecutive trading day, reflecting investor concern over signals of a potential negotiated settlement.

Now, these developments matter because they will shape the framework of any future peace agreement. The US, the European Union, and Ukraine are currently emphasising different priorities. Washington is pushing for a deal it believes can end the fighting swiftly. Ukraine continues to seek security guarantees, protection of sovereignty, and assurances against future attack. European governments insist that any settlement must not legitimise territorial changes achieved by force and must not undermine the long-term security of the European continent.

This matters institutionally as well. Several European governments say they were not involved in drafting the original US proposal, despite the war taking place in Europe and despite European countries being among Ukraine’s main supporters. How the negotiations are structured, and who is included, will influence both the substance and the legitimacy of any eventual agreement.

So, what’s next?

Intensive diplomatic activity will continue this week. EU leaders are holding further discussions during meetings in Angola. The French president is convening the coalition of countries supporting Kyiv for a video conference. European governments are developing a coordinated counter-proposal. The United States is preparing additional talks with Ukraine and, separately, discussions with Russia, although those will not take place in Geneva.

Secretary Rubio says the proposal remains a “living, breathing document”, and Ukrainian officials say negotiations will continue as long as their core security concerns are addressed. It remains unclear when a final text will be ready, whether the differences between the American and European positions can be bridged, and how Russia will respond to any eventual draft.