Ukrainian and US officials plotted their next steps after hailing “progress” at Geneva talks aimed on ending the long war in Ukraine, with a quick US visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy potentially under discussion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who headed US delegation in the November 23 talks, cited “tremendous progress” and said President Donald Trump was “pleased” when he briefed him on the discussions. The top US diplomat said the session was “probably the most productive and meaningful agencies cited unnamed sources as saying US and Ukrainian officials were discussing a potential visit by Zelenskyy to Washington — as early as the upcoming week — to discuss matters with Trump. Reuters quoted one source as saying the talks would focus on the most sensitive issues in a 28-point peace plan put forward by Trump — such as the possibility of Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia. The plan has not yet been officially disclosed, although key elements have been leaked — sparking Kyiv’s European allies to suggest it is highly tilted in Russia’s favor. Many US lawmakers — Republicans and Democrats — also expressed opposition to reported details of the US plan, with some calling it a Kremlin “wish list.’ Many of the terms of the proposed deal require sweeping concessions by Kyiv and appear to mirror many of the Kremlin’s demands — including surrender of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions — known as the Donbas — and Crimea, along with setting limits on the size of its military. Kyiv would also be required to set a constitutional prohibition on joining NATO, while restrictions would be put on the Western military alliance itself regarding the stationing of its troops. Financial sanctions on Moscow would also be eased under the plan. In return, Ukraine would receive some form of “security guarantees,” most notably from the United States, be allowed to join the European Union, and receive some financial benefits. Russia would also be required to withdraw from some Ukrainian areas it currently occupies. Amid the pushback from US lawmakers and foreign allies, Trump on November 22 left open the possibility of changes being made to the plan. Asked by reporters if his proposal was his “final offer to Ukraine,” Trump said, “No.” There was no immediate word on any changes that might have been made to the US proposal in Geneva, but Zelenskyy said that “there are signals President Trump’s team is hearing us. A lot is changing — we are working very carefully on the steps needed to end the war,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. Details Of European Plan German news agency dpa said a tentative European plan would not require Ukraine to cede any territory that it still controls and would set a higher cap on the size of its armed forces — to 800, 000 soldiers, instead of the 600, 000 limit in the US proposal. Also, Ukraine’s membership in NATO would not explicitly be ruled out, and Russia would not be granted a general amnesty for war crimes, dpa reported, without citing its sources. An EU official cautioned that the European terms — which also include stronger security guarantees for Ukraine — could be altered given the rapidly changing situation. The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the talks, although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would have a phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on November 24 to discuss peace efforts in Ukraine. Multiple Casualties In Kharkiv Meanwhile, as the talks were under way in Geneva, the killing continued in the full-scale war that is edging near the four-year mark. Ukrainian officials said Russia had launched a “massive” drone attack on Kharkiv on November 23, killing at least four people and injuring 17 others in a residential area. Russia has conducted almost nightly missile and drone launches on Ukrainian residential, commercial, and infrastructure sites. The Kremlin denies targeting civilian areas despite widespread attacks on such areas. Ukraine has responded by sending drones against energy and other sites inside Russia that Kyiv says are used to launch attacks against Ukrainian cities. With reporting by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, Reuters, and dpa.
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-geneva-peace-talks-trump-zelenskyy-rubio/33599688.html
Ukraine, US Vow To Keep Working After Talks, Discuss Possible Zelenskyy Trip To US
