US–Ukraine Peace Plan Talks Make ‘Tremendous Progress’, Says Rubio

US and Ukrainian negotiators have produced an “updated and refined peace framework” and will continue intensive talks in the coming days, according to a joint statement released on Sunday. Both sides described the Geneva negotiations on a US-backed plan as “highly productive.”

Rubio: ‘Very Good Day’ in Geneva

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the teams had made a “tremendous amount of progress”, narrowing several “open items” in the 28-point US proposal, though some issues remain unresolved.

Rubio stressed that any final plan must be approved by Presidents Trump and Zelensky before being presented to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there were “signals that President Trump’s team is hearing us.”

Tensions Over Gratitude and European Role

The positive tone followed criticism from President Donald Trump, who accused Ukrainian leaders of showing “zero gratitude” for US efforts. He also faulted Europe for continuing to buy Russian oil, which finances Moscow’s war.

Alternative European Plan?

Reports by several media outlets suggested the UK, France, and Germany had drafted an alternate peace plan. Rubio denied any knowledge of such a document.

Key Leaked Provisions of the US-Backed Draft

Although the full draft hasn’t been published, major leaked elements include:

• Ukraine withdrawing from parts of Donetsk currently held by Kyiv.

• Recognition of Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea (annexed in 2014).

• Freezing borders in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia along current battle lines.

• Reducing Ukraine’s military to 600,000 personnel (from about 880,000).

• Ukraine pledging not to seek NATO membership, instead receiving unspecified “security guarantees.”

• A mutual expectation that Russia will not invade its neighbours and NATO will halt further expansion.

• Russia’s reintegration into the global economy, including sanctions relief and a possible return to the G7 (becoming G8).

Deadline Pressure & Confusion Over Authorship

Trump had earlier given Ukraine until Thursday to agree to the deal but later softened the deadline, saying it was not a “final offer.” Rubio also said progress may occur sooner or slightly later.

A dispute emerged over the origin of the draft:

• Some US senators said Rubio claimed the draft was a Russian proposal.

• Rubio and the State Department strongly denied this, insisting the plan is US-authored with “input” from Moscow and Kyiv.

• The State Department called the senators’ interpretation “blatantly false.”