The United States and Ukraine have announced an “updated and refined peace framework” to end the war with Russia, following the leak of an original US-backed document that contained pro-Russian points. The announcement came hours after European countries proposed their own alternative peace plan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with a Ukrainian delegation led by Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Switzerland on Sunday. Rubio expressed optimism about the talks, and a joint statement said any eventual deal would “fully uphold” Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The original 28-point US document, leaked last week, demanded Ukraine cede territory to Russia, limit its army size, and drop pursuit of war crimes charges against the Kremlin. Rubio initially admitted the plan was conceived in Moscow but later insisted the US was its author.
European allies, blindsided by Washington’s initiative, published their own plan on Sunday. It proposes negotiations over territory after a ceasefire, starting from the current frontline, and does not rule out Ukraine’s Nato membership. It also suggests Russia hand over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to the IAEA and that frozen Russian assets be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
President Donald Trump had earlier criticised Ukraine for showing “zero gratitude”, but later rowed back on demands for Zelenskyy to sign the deal by Thursday, calling it “not my final offer”. Rubio said good progress had been made in addressing unresolved questions in the draft plan.
