GENEVA: The United States and Ukraine have said that any eventual peace deal to end the nearly four-year war with Russia must fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, following what officials described as “constructive” talks in Geneva involving US, Ukrainian, and European delegates.
Negotiations on Saturday focused on a US-proposed plan that had drawn criticism for allegedly favoring Russian demands. After a full day of discussions, the parties produced “an updated and refined peace framework,” according to a joint US-Ukraine statement.
US President Donald Trump had set a deadline of November 27 for Ukraine to approve his draft plan, which spans 28 points and included measures that would require Kyiv to cede territory, reduce its military, and pledge not to join NATO. Ukrainian negotiators, however, pushed for revisions to ensure that the plan reflected Ukraine’s core security and territorial priorities.
“The talks were constructive, focused, and respectful, underscoring the shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace,” the statement said. It added that any future agreement must “fully uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace,” noting that “meaningful progress” had been made. Both sides pledged to continue working on joint proposals in the coming days.
Despite the progress, conflict on the ground continued. A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv killed four people, its mayor reported, highlighting the ongoing threat to civilians even as diplomacy moved forward.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the day’s discussions as producing “tremendous” progress, while Ukraine’s delegation head Andriy Yermak said the sides had made “very good progress.” The Ukrainian team noted that the latest version of the US draft already incorporated many of Kyiv’s key priorities, though it had yet to be published.
Rubio, whose delegation included Jared Kushner and diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff, said the negotiators had narrowed points of disagreement in a “very substantial way.” He added, “The items that remain open are not insurmountable,” expressing optimism that a deal could be reached soon. Any final agreement, he stressed, would require approval from both presidents and would ultimately involve Russia, which has indicated support for the original proposal.
Turkey has played a coordinating role, hosting three rounds of negotiations. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he planned to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin to further discussions.
The talks also followed a public dispute between Trump and Ukraine, with the former US president claiming on Truth Social that Ukrainian leaders had shown “zero gratitude” for American efforts, while also criticizing European countries for failing to do more to end the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky countered on social media, thanking the United States and Trump personally for assistance that has “saved Ukrainian lives.”
On the ground, Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov condemned the Russian drone strike, calling it “truly horrible” that civilians and infrastructure were being targeted even amid ongoing negotiations.
European leaders emphasized their continued influence on the process. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine must retain the “freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny” and that the EU’s central role in any peace framework must be “fully reflected.” EU countries are scheduled to discuss the Ukraine situation further during a meeting with African leaders in Angola.
Meanwhile, leaders in the United Kingdom and other countries reportedly contacted Trump, with Downing Street stating that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the US president agreed on the need to work collectively “to bring about a just and lasting peace.”
Rubio concluded the day with cautious optimism, noting that Trump had been briefed on the progress and describing the outlook as “very reasonable” for reaching an agreement in the near future.
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