Trump Open to Ukraine Peace Talks, Rubio Emphasizes US Leadership

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US President Donald Trump signalled room for negotiation on a US plan to end the Ukraine war that has drawn pushback from Kyiv, its allies and US politicians ahead of talks on the proposal in Switzerland.

Trump has given Ukraine until 27 November to approve the plan to end the nearly four-year conflict, but Ukraine is seeking changes to a draft that accepts some of Russia’s hard-line demands.

The US insisted on Saturday the proposal was official US policy, denying claims by a group of US senators that secretary of state Marco Rubio told them the document was a Russian “wish list”.

The 28-point plan would require the invaded country to cede territory, cut its army and pledge never to join NATO.

On Saturday, Trump informed journalists that his latest proposal was not his definitive offer, expressing optimism in finding a way to halt the conflict through various means.

Ukraine’s European allies, who were not included in drafting the proposal, said the plan requires “additional work” as they scrambled at the G20 summit in South Africa to come up with a counteroffer to strengthen Ukraine’s position.

A US official told AFP that Rubio and diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff would land in Geneva on Sunday for the talks and that US army secretary Daniel Driscoll had already arrived after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Late that evening, Rubio took to social media to clarify, “The peace proposal originates from the US. It serves as a robust foundation for continued negotiations, incorporating feedback from Russia and previous as well as ongoing insights from Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy announced that discussions will occur with allies to determine the necessary actions to bring an end to the war.

In a national address on Friday, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine is confronting one of its most formidable challenges. He also mentioned his intention to propose alternatives to Trump’s plan.

Zelenskyy has issued a decree naming Ukraine’s delegation for the talks, led by his top aide Andriy Yermak.

It also says the negotiations would include “representatives of the Russian Federation”, but there was no immediate confirmation from Russia whether it would join the talks.

Zelenskyy said “consultations will take place with partners regarding the steps needed to end the war”.

“Our representatives know how to defend Ukraine’s national interests and what is necessary to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion,” having annexed Crimea in 2014 and mounted a full-scale offensive in 2022, he said.

Western leaders at the G20 summit said that the US plan was “a basis which will require additional work”.

“We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack,” the leaders of key European countries, Canada and Japan said in a joint statement.

Zelenskyy said in an address to the nation on Friday that Ukraine faces one of the most challenging moments in its history, adding that he would propose “alternatives” to Trump’s plan.

“The pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest. Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner,” Zelenskyy said, referring to a possible break with Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the blueprint could “lay the foundation” for a final peace settlement, but threatened more land seizures if Ukraine walked away from negotiations.