The United States on Sunday praised ongoing peace negotiations in Switzerland, calling the latest discussions on a proposed framework to end the Ukraine war a “significant step forward.” The White House stressed that any final agreement must “fully uphold” Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Shortly after the announcement, Washington and Kyiv released a joint statement confirming that negotiators had produced “an updated and refined peace framework” following intensive consultations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the American delegation in Geneva, where US, Ukrainian, and European officials met to push forward efforts to end the conflict sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The talks come as US President Donald Trump had given Ukraine a November 27 deadline to respond to his controversial peace proposal.
Kyiv, however, has rejected parts of the original 28-point draft, which reportedly included major concessions to Moscow—such as territorial cessions, reductions to Ukraine’s armed forces, and a pledge to forgo NATO membership.
The updated draft referenced in the joint statement suggests that meaningful adjustments were made during the latest negotiation round.
“The talks were constructive, focused, and respectful, underscoring the shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace,” the statement said. “The discussions showed meaningful progress toward aligning positions and identifying clear next steps. They reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace.”
Both sides emphasized that work on coordinated proposals will continue “in the coming days.”
According to the White House, Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty, long-term security, and future prosperity remain at the core of the diplomatic process. — AFP
