Former US President Donald Trump has signalled that significant headway is being made in peace negotiations to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump sparked speculation by asking if 'big progress' was truly being made, while cautiously advising followers: 'Don't believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening.'
Diplomatic Moves and Red Lines
This optimistic tone follows a reportedly 'highly productive' meeting between US and Ukrainian negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland. The parties have drawn up an 'updated and refined peace framework', moving closer towards a potential agreement after removing some of the Kremlin's demands that Kyiv has long insisted are non-negotiable 'red lines'.
Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraine's parliament, reiterated on Monday that the country's unwavering positions for any peace negotiations include no formal recognition of occupied territories, no limits on its defence forces, and no restrictions on its future alliances. He emphasised that membership of the EU and NATO must be integral to any security guarantees for Ukraine.
Controversial Draft and European Backlash
The diplomatic push occurs against the backdrop of a controversial 28-point peace draft that was leaked last week, causing uproar among European leaders. The original proposal, which was cautiously welcomed by Moscow, was seen by critics as heavily favouring Russia.
Alarming details from the leaked document included proposals for Ukraine to cut its army from 900,000 to 600,000 personnel, cede the entirety of the eastern Donbas region, and constitutionally renounce any future NATO membership. In return, Western sanctions on Russia would be lifted.
European powers have since pushed back. Britain, France, and Germany – the so-called E3 – submitted a modified version of the US peace plan. Their counter-proposal suggests a military cap of 800,000 'in peacetime' rather than a blanket 600,000, and insists that territorial negotiations should start from the current Line of Contact, not pre-determine areas as Russian.
Mixed Reactions and Ongoing Aggression
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the coordinated steps with the US as 'important', acknowledging that 'extremely sensitive points' had been protected. However, he stressed that 'to achieve real peace, more is needed'. His comments came amid a backdrop of domestic fury over the initial draft, with one senior lawmaker from his party stating the country was 'mind-blown'.
Despite the flurry of diplomatic activity, Russia has shown no signs of relenting its military assault. On Sunday, Putin's forces staged a 'massive' drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, killing four people and injuring twelve, including two children.
As the White House denies accusations that the original draft was written in Russian, and European leaders warn that major issues remain unresolved, the path to a lasting and just peace remains fraught with complexity and continued violence.
