Ukraine Strikes, Zelensky & Trump: Russia’s “Peace” Response?

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine have involved multiple rounds of talks in recent months, with the US and its European allies seeking a path toward a ceasefire. Discussions have taken place in Geneva, Berlin, Miami, and are set to continue with an upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida.

28-Point Peace Plan

In November, details of a US-backed 28-point peace plan emerged. The plan was widely seen as favorable to Russia, requiring Ukraine to concede territory, reduce the size of its army, and forgo future membership in Nato. Zelenskyy expressed concern that his country risked losing either its dignity or US support, while European allies voiced criticism of the proposal.

Geneva Talks

Talks followed in Geneva on November 23, involving delegations from the US, Ukraine, and its European allies. Reports detailed a European counter-proposal with terms more advantageous to Ukraine, though the BBC could not independently verify these reports.

Russia-US Talks

Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff at the start of December failed to yield a breakthrough. A Kremlin spokesperson described the Moscow meeting as “constructive,” but indicated that certain aspects of the plan remained unacceptable to Russia.

US-Ukraine Talks

Three days of talks were held in Miami between Zelenskyy’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov and his US counterparts. Following the talks, Trump accused Zelenskyy of not having reviewed a revised draft plan, but Zelenskyy stated he was awaiting a briefing from his negotiators in person.

Berlin Talks

In mid-December, the US indicated it was ready to offer Ukraine Nato-like security guarantees to support a potential ceasefire, following discussions in Berlin. Zelenskyy signaled, for the first time, a willingness to compromise on Ukraine’s aspirations to join Nato in exchange for robust security assurances.

20-Point Plan

Shortly before Christmas, US and Ukrainian envoys announced that three days of talks in Miami aimed at ending the war with Russia had been “productive and constructive.” Witkoff and Umerov said the meeting centered on aligning positions on a 20-point plan, considered an updated version of the original 28-point document.