A tremendous amount of progress has been achieved in talks to finalize a US-proposed peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said.
But there's still some work to be done, Rubio said after meeting Ukrainian and European negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that there were signals that President [Donald] Trump's team is hearing us.
Concerns from Ukraine and its European allies over the leaked proposals, seen as favoring Russia, have complicated discussions, with Zelensky warning of a difficult choice between losing dignity or risking vital partnerships.
Rubio described the negotiations as a very good day, focusing on narrowing the 28-point US plan’s open items. Yet, he emphasized that any final agreement would require approval from both Ukrainian and US presidents before being presented to Russia.
Discussions are ongoing regarding various components of the plan, such as a potential Ukrainian troop withdrawal and the future status of contested regions. A consensus appears to be forming on limiting Ukraine's military personnel and ensuring security guarantees without NATO membership.
As the Geneva talks evolve, both sides are cautious yet hopeful, with Rubio expressing optimism about reaching a conclusion soon.
