Geneva – Discussions surrounding a potential peace framework for the war in Ukraine are facing scrutiny as differing perspectives emerge from key international players. Recent reports indicate that while figures like Witkoff and Kushner, and former U.S. President Trump, believe Russian President Vladimir Putin desires an end to the conflict, Ukrainian officials express skepticism.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhia has accused Putin of “wasting the world’s time,” and Ukraine’s ambassador to the US stated they “do not need to wait for promises from Russia.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently ruled out ceding Ukrainian territory and is demanding firm security guarantees as part of any agreement. He stated on Wednesday, “the world clearly feels that there is a real opportunity to end the war,” but emphasized the need for “pressure on Russia,” which Kyiv and its allies accuse of deliberately delaying ceasefire agreements.
Zelensky has reported key changes were made to an initial U.S. peace plan – perceived as favoring Moscow – during talks with a U.S. delegation in Geneva last week. U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators jointly announced they had developed an “updated and refined peace framework,” though details remain undisclosed.
European negotiators, who had previously expressed concerns about the original U.S. plan, also participated in separate meetings with the U.S. and Ukrainian teams in Geneva.
A confidential transcript obtained by German news website Der Spiegel suggests European leaders harbor anxieties about the U.S. negotiations. The transcript reportedly quotes French President emmanuel Macron as stating, “There is a possibility that the US will betray Ukraine on the issue of territory without clarity on security guarantees.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was reportedly quoted warning Zelensky to be “extremely careful in the coming days,” adding, “They are playing games, both with you and with us.” Finnish President Alexander Stubb reportedly cautioned against leaving Ukraine and zelensky “alone with these guys.” The BBC has not independently verified the transcript.
The Élysée Palace responded to a Der Spiegel inquiry stating Macron “did not express himself in those terms,” but declined to provide specifics citing confidentiality. Stubb and Merz have not publicly commented on the report. The White House has been contacted for comment.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in february 2022 and currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. In recent weeks, Russian forces have made incremental advances in south-east Ukraine, reportedly sustaining important casualties.
