Hopes for a rapid resolution to the war in Ukraine have been dealt a significant blow after Moscow outright rejected a European peace proposal, labelling it as unworkable. This development comes amidst a flurry of diplomatic activity, with US and Ukrainian officials engaged in intensive negotiations to refine a separate American peace framework.
Kremlin's Firm Rejection
The prospect of a quick peace deal suffered a major setback when the Kremlin publicly dismissed a European counter-proposal to the US peace plan. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Moscow on Monday that the European plan was, at first glance, "completely unconstructive and does not work for us." This firm rejection creates a substantial obstacle for Western powers seeking a coordinated approach to end the conflict.
US-Ukraine Talks Show Cautious Progress
While Moscow was voicing its disapproval, Ukrainian and American officials were deep in discussions in Geneva. Following talks on Sunday, Washington and Kyiv issued a joint statement announcing they had drafted a "refined peace framework" to end the war with Russia. Although specific details were not disclosed, the dialogue was cautiously welcomed by some of Ukraine's allies.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks in Switzerland as "meaningful" and potentially the "best meeting" held since the administration took office in January. However, he tempered optimism by warning that "there's still some work left to do" before a final agreement can be reached.
Echoing this sentiment, Andriy Yermak, President Zelensky's chief of staff, stated, "We have very good progress and we are moving forward to the just and lasting peace." The Ukrainian delegation was returning home on Monday to report back on the negotiations.
Trump's Optimism and Underlying Tensions
The high-stakes diplomacy prompted a characteristically optimistic post from former US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform. "Is it really possible that big progress is being made in Peace Talks between Russia and Ukraine???" he wrote, adding, "Don't believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening."
Amid the talks, there was speculation that President Zelensky might travel to the US in the coming days, with officials working towards a potential deal before the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. This potential trip was said to be contingent on the perceived success of the Geneva negotiations.
However, underlying the diplomatic efforts are significant tensions. The Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan, drawn up following talks with Moscow, has been met with criticism. A former head of MI6, Sir Alex Younger, warned that the plan is "lopsided" in Russia's favour and would reduce Ukraine to Russia's "tethered goat," almost guaranteeing a future invasion. The proposal would compel Kyiv to give up land, abandon its NATO ambitions, and compensate the US for upholding the peace.
From Sweden, where he was attending a summit on Crimea, President Zelensky emphasised that Russia must pay for the war and that a decision on using frozen Russian assets was crucial. He acknowledged the immense pressure, stating, "Right now, we are at a critical moment," and vowing to continue working with partners to find compromises that strengthen, not weaken, Ukraine.
