US diplomats intensified their push for a peace deal in Ukraine on Sunday, meeting with Ukrainian officials in Geneva where they presented proposals to end the war with Russia. Despite Kyiv's concerns that the plan conceded too much to Moscow, US officials remain committed to the idea of a negotiated settlement.
Washington has put pressure on Ukraine to accept its 28-point plan, which would see the country cede control over eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk to Russia and significantly reduce its military presence. Ukrainian leaders have rejected this proposal as unacceptable, with President Volodymyr Zelensky warning that accepting it could mean losing both his country's dignity and its alliance with Washington.
The plan has been subject to changes in Geneva, where US officials met with Ukrainian and European representatives to draft an "updated" version of the proposal. Moscow, however, stated on Monday that it would not accept any amendments, effectively ruling out a compromise. The Kremlin has sought recognition for the territories it occupied since invading Ukraine in 2022, claiming to have annexed five regions including Crimea.
US President Donald Trump initially gave Zelensky an ultimatum to respond to the initial plan by Thursday, but German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hinted that discussions would be a lengthy process. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the progress made during talks in Geneva, stating that "tremendous" breakthroughs had been achieved.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, with tens of thousands killed and millions forced to flee their homes. Residents in southern Ukraine have expressed concerns about ceding territory to Russia, saying it would be an betrayal of their soldiers' sacrifices.
As talks continued, the war raged on, including a Russian strike on Kharkiv that left four people dead. Trump remained hopeful for a breakthrough, stating that "something good just may be happening." However, with no clear resolution in sight, Ukraine is at a critical juncture, struggling to balance its desire for peace with the need to maintain its sovereignty.
The war in Ukraine has been described as one of Europe's largest and deadliest conflicts since World War II. The international community is keenly watching the negotiations, with countries supporting Ukraine set to meet via video conference on Tuesday to discuss the Geneva talks.
Washington has put pressure on Ukraine to accept its 28-point plan, which would see the country cede control over eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk to Russia and significantly reduce its military presence. Ukrainian leaders have rejected this proposal as unacceptable, with President Volodymyr Zelensky warning that accepting it could mean losing both his country's dignity and its alliance with Washington.
The plan has been subject to changes in Geneva, where US officials met with Ukrainian and European representatives to draft an "updated" version of the proposal. Moscow, however, stated on Monday that it would not accept any amendments, effectively ruling out a compromise. The Kremlin has sought recognition for the territories it occupied since invading Ukraine in 2022, claiming to have annexed five regions including Crimea.
US President Donald Trump initially gave Zelensky an ultimatum to respond to the initial plan by Thursday, but German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hinted that discussions would be a lengthy process. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the progress made during talks in Geneva, stating that "tremendous" breakthroughs had been achieved.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, with tens of thousands killed and millions forced to flee their homes. Residents in southern Ukraine have expressed concerns about ceding territory to Russia, saying it would be an betrayal of their soldiers' sacrifices.
As talks continued, the war raged on, including a Russian strike on Kharkiv that left four people dead. Trump remained hopeful for a breakthrough, stating that "something good just may be happening." However, with no clear resolution in sight, Ukraine is at a critical juncture, struggling to balance its desire for peace with the need to maintain its sovereignty.
The war in Ukraine has been described as one of Europe's largest and deadliest conflicts since World War II. The international community is keenly watching the negotiations, with countries supporting Ukraine set to meet via video conference on Tuesday to discuss the Geneva talks.