A proposed US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine has been described by former President Donald Trump as not the 'final offer', creating significant unease among European allies and triggering a round of emergency diplomatic talks in Geneva.
Mixed Signals from Washington
The announcement came on Sunday 23 November 2025, just ahead of crisis talks scheduled in Switzerland. The 28-point draft peace plan, which was drawn up by Kremlin adviser Dmitriev Kirill and Trump official Steve Witkoff, closely mirrors demands Russia has made since its full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Mr Trump acknowledged the plan, stating, "We'd like to get the peace, it should've happened a long time ago." He emphasised that the proposal was "by far" not the final offer and expressed his belief that the war should never have occurred. Despite this, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly described the draft to concerned senators as a "Russian wish list", highlighting conflicting messages from the US administration.
European Allies Push Back
The revelation of the plan, which would require Ukraine to cede territory and reduce its military size, overshadowed the G20 summit in Johannesburg. The summit's intended focus on issues affecting the world's poorest nations was quickly diverted as European and Western nations scrambled to formulate a response.
Foreign ministers from Britain and Ukraine held urgent discussions to coordinate their positions. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also spoke with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that their teams would work together on the proposal ahead of further discussions on Sunday.
European leaders presented a united front, cautiously welcoming the plan as a starting point but insisting it needed substantial revision. French President Emmanuel Macron stated it required "strengthening", while Sir Keir Starmer voiced specific concern over proposed military caps, stating, "It's fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if there's a ceasefire." He confirmed the proposal "requires additional work".
Crisis Talks Convened in Geneva
In response to the draft's publication, a high-level meeting was hastily arranged for Sunday in Geneva. The talks will include national security advisers from the United States, Ukraine, Britain, France, Germany, and the European Union.
President Trump has indicated he wants a response from Ukraine by the following Thursday, adding pressure to the diplomatic process. The G20 summit itself concluded with leaders breaking tradition by adopting a declaration at the start, despite a US boycott of talks related to the South African presidency's agenda.
