Donald Trump attacked Ukrainian leaders for showing "zero gratitude" as US, Ukrainian and European officials met in Geneva on Sunday to negotiate a contentious peace plan aimed at ending the war with Russia.
The US president posted on Truth Social: «Ukraine 'leadership' has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia.» His criticism came as high-level talks in Switzerland focused on a 28-point US framework that European allies say requires major revisions.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke with Trump for the second time in two days. Downing Street said the leaders discussed the Geneva talks and «agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace».
"Most productive" talks so far
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Sunday's meetings «probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process». He said teams are now «making some changes» to narrow differences between Washington and Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X: «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.»
Jonathan Powell, Britain's national security adviser, attended alongside French and German counterparts. The talks included Rubio, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, army secretary Dan Driscoll, and Ukrainian chief negotiator Andriy Yermak.
Controversial plan faces pushback
The 28-point plan reportedly requires Ukraine to limit its armed forces, cede territory to Russia, and abandon NATO membership aspirations. It was negotiated by Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, with Kyiv and European allies initially excluded.
European leaders raised strong objections at the G20 summit in South Africa on Saturday. They called the plan "a basis" requiring further work in a joint statement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that «borders cannot be changed by force». She said limitations on Ukraine's armed forces «would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security».
French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned that «many things» in the proposal cannot be exclusively American and require «broader consultation». German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said reaching agreement this week remains uncertain due to «current differences».
UK position on peace terms
Sir Keir voiced concerns about proposed caps on Ukraine's military. «It's fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if there's a ceasefire», he said in Johannesburg.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips the plan «does require some additional work». She insisted the UK's voice «does count» with Washington.
The US State Department dismissed as «blatantly false» claims from senators that Rubio described the plan as a Russian «wish list». A spokesman said the plan was «authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians».
An article five security guarantee – NATO's mutual defence provision – is understood to be «integral and significant» to Washington's plan. Sir Keir has said this guarantee indicates Trump wants a «just and lasting peace».
Trump initially suggested he wanted a Ukrainian response by Thursday but later signalled flexibility, saying «no» when asked whether his proposals are final.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
