The new proposal places greater emphasis on security guarantees for Ukraine after a previous proposal was criticized as being too friendly to Moscow.
The United States and Ukraine have an “updated and refined” peace framework to end the war between Russian and Ukraine after a previous proposal was criticized by some as being too friendly to Moscow.
According to a joint statement issued by the White House on Nov. 23 after talks in Geneva, Switzerland, the new version of the agreement would provide stronger security guarantees to protect Ukraine from future attacks by Russia.
“Both sides … reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace,” the joint statement reads.
According to the White House, the Ukrainians said the deal “reflects their national interests.”
The two nations called the meeting “highly productive,” a sentiment echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“It is my personal view that we’ve had probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process since we’ve been involved,” Rubio, who is leading the U.S. negotiations, told reporters on Nov. 23.
The Trump administration’s earlier peace plan received criticism from U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and officials from Europe for what some perceive as concessions to Russia.
While officials from his administration met with European and Ukrainian officials on Nov. 23 to discuss Washington-drafted plans to end the war, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian leadership in a post on social media.
“The War between Russia and Ukraine is a violent and terrible one that, with strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian leadership, would have never happened,” Trump wrote. “Ukraine ‘leadership’ has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia.”
Less than three hours later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for U.S. leadership in a post on X.
“The leadership of the United States is important, we are grateful for everything that America and President Trump are doing for security, and we keep working as constructively as possible,” Zelenskyy wrote.
In a subsequent post, Zelenskyy said, “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.”
Trump said on Nov. 21 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had until Nov. 27 to approve the 28-point plan, which would compel Ukraine to renounce ambitions to join NATO, accept limits on its military, and cede territory.
By Jacob Burg and Joseph Lord
