Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cautiously welcomed a revised peace proposal aimed at ending the war with Russia.
The updated plan, reworked by Ukraine’s European allies, removes clauses favourable to Russia and is now seen as more achievable by Kyiv.
Zelenskyy said, “Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable… Many correct elements have been incorporated into this framework.” He added that sensitive issues would be resolved directly with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The peace framework has been reduced from 28 to 19 points, excluding Russian demands for territorial recognition. Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsa explained that decisions on contentious matters like territory would now be left to the leaders of the involved countries. The plan also allows Ukraine to maintain a larger military and keeps open the option of joining NATO.
Peace talks in Geneva involved U.S. and Ukrainian officials but excluded Russian representatives. The Kremlin labelled the European amendments as “completely unconstructive and does not work for us,” underscoring Moscow’s rejection.
Despite criticism, the Trump administration insists it is even-handed, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “The idea that the United States of America is not engaging with both sides equally in this war to bring it to an end is a complete and total fallacy.”
Meanwhile, Kyiv suffered recent Russian missile and drone attacks that damaged energy infrastructure and disrupted daily life, as reported by the city mayor and Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy. In reaction to ongoing developments, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a virtual meeting of Ukraine’s European allies to discuss a “just and lasting peace.”
The conflict has caused enormous human suffering since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, resulting in heavy military and civilian casualties and widespread displacement.