A significant diplomatic development has unfolded as the United States and Ukraine announced they have created an "updated and refined peace framework" to end the war with Russia. This comes just hours after European countries put forward their own radical alternative plan.
A Clash of Peace Proposals
The European counter-proposal seeks to fundamentally overhaul the original US-backed document, which was leaked last week and contained several points viewed as favourable to Russia. The European initiative aims to force the US to reconsider its approach and better incorporate Ukrainian and European interests. The precise text of the current proposed peace deal remains unclear.
This diplomatic manoeuvring follows consultations between the head of the office of the president of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, and the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Mixed Reactions from European Leaders
Initial reactions from European leaders have been divided. Germany's Johann Wadephul struck an optimistic tone, declaring the weekend's talks a "decisive success" for the European side. He insisted that "all issues concerning Europe, including those concerning Nato, have been removed from this plan." He reiterated that any final agreement must not be made over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians.
In contrast, Finland's influential president, Alexander Stubb, who is considered to have excellent access to US President Donald Trump, was more cautious. After a debrief call with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he described the talks as "a step forward," but cautioned that "there are still major issues which remain to be resolved."
Next Steps in the Diplomatic Process
The negotiations are far from over. EU leaders are scheduled to meet for further discussions on the issue in Luanda, the capital of Angola, on the margins of the ongoing EU-Africa summit. As of Monday, 24 November 2025, the talks on Ukraine are entering what could be a decisive phase, with all sides manoeuvring to shape the final outcome.
