Rubio hails ‘tremendous progress’ at Ukraine peace talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a “tremendous amount of progress” had been made in talks to finalize the US’ proposed peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
But Rubio said “there’s still some work to be done” after meeting with Ukrainian and European negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that “the President has received signals in this direction.” [Donald] “Trump’s team is hearing us.”
Ukraine and its European allies had expressed concern about the leaked proposals, which were seen as favorable to Russia and welcomed by Vladimir Putin as the “basis” of a solution. Zelensky said Ukraine “may face a very difficult choice”: either lose its honor or risk losing an important partner.
Speaking to reporters late Sunday, Rubio said negotiating teams in Geneva had “a very good day.”
He said the main goal was to try to narrow down the “loose items” in the 28-point US plan, and that the parties involved had succeeded in doing so “to a significant extent”.
But the top American diplomat added that any final agreement would need to be agreed by the Ukrainian and US presidents before the package is sent to Russia, and that there are several issues they need to continue working on.
Many media outlets reported that they had seen an alternative plan from Kiev’s European allies, led by Britain, France and Germany. The BBC has not seen the document, and Rubio has denied having any knowledge of its existence.
Earlier Sunday, Trump accused Ukrainian leaders of showing “zero gratitude” for U.S. efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
The US president also noted that Europe, home to some of Kiev’s staunchest allies, continues to buy oil from Russia.
Moscow relies heavily on oil and gas exports to continue financing its war in Ukraine.
Geneva talks focus on US draft; The leaked version of this draft involves the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern Donetsk region they currently control, and Russia’s de facto control of the neighboring Luhansk region as well as Donetsk and the southern Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
The plan also includes freezing the borders of Ukraine’s southern Kherson and Zaporizhia regions along existing battle lines. Both regions are partially occupied by Russia.
The US plan also limits Ukraine’s military to 600,000 personnel, down from 880,000 currently.
The draft also includes Ukraine’s commitment not to apply for NATO membership. Instead, Kiev will receive “reliable security guarantees” about which no details are given.
The document states that it is “expected” that Russia will not invade its neighbors and that NATO will not expand further.
The draft also suggests that Russia will be “reintegrated into the global economy” by lifting sanctions and inviting Russia to rejoin the G7 group of the world’s most powerful countries, making it back into the G8.
Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, and Russia’s troops are making slow progress along the vast front line despite reported heavy losses.
Trump gave Ukraine until next Thursday to accept the offers.
But he said this was not his “last overture” to Kiev after Ukraine’s allies in Europe, Canada and Japan raised concerns.
And Rubio told reporters Sunday that he was “very optimistic that we’ll get there in a very reasonable amount of time,” whether it’s Thursday, other days or Monday of next week.
