The 28-Point Proposal
The U.S. plan under discussion contains 28 points and was drafted in consultation with the Kremlin and with input from Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council. Key provisions would force Ukraine to:
- Reduce its armed forces by more than half;
- Cede significant areas not currently occupied by Russian troops;
- Renounce possession of long-range weapons systems; and
- Provide a form of recognition for Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Critics in Kyiv describe the document as a blueprint for capitulation, arguing it would freeze the conflict on Moscow’s terms and undercut Ukraine’s sovereignty. Nevertheless, Zelenskyy has agreed to study the text, citing the risk of losing the United States as a crucial partner if Kyiv refuses to engage.
Reactions from Kyiv, Moscow and Washington
Addressing the nation on Friday, Zelenskyy characterized the moment as “one of the most difficult” in Ukraine’s modern history. He pledged to examine the proposal “calmly” while offering alternative ideas that protect what he called Ukraine’s “dignity.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Security Council on Friday that the Kremlin had received the document and considered it a potential basis for a comprehensive settlement. He added that Washington had not yet secured agreement from Kyiv, asserting that Ukraine and its European allies still believe they can achieve “strategic defeat” of Russia on the battlefield.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the proposal is not a final offer and that “one way or another we’ll get it ended.” Rubio later dismissed claims from a bipartisan group of senators who said he had told them the plan was authored by Russia, insisting instead that it originated in Washington but incorporated “previous and ongoing input from Ukraine” as well as Russia.
Continued Russian Attacks
While diplomacy proceeds, Russia maintains its nightly campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure. Between Saturday night and Sunday morning, the Ukrainian air force reported intercepting or suppressing 69 of 98 drones launched across the country. Zelenskyy said the attacks highlight the immediate need for additional air-defense systems pledged by Western partners.
Imagem: Internet
On Friday, rescue crews in Ternopil sifted through the remnants of a residential building destroyed in an earlier missile strike, underscoring the human cost of the conflict even as negotiators search for a diplomatic exit. International observers note that civilian areas have been routinely targeted since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, despite repeated calls from the United Nations General Assembly to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Delegations and Logistics
Sunday’s talks mark the first time since July that senior U.S. and Russian officials will be in the same city for formal discussions on ending the war. Swiss authorities have provided logistical support but remain publicly neutral regarding the content of the negotiations. Security around Geneva’s diplomatic quarter has been tightened, with police sealing several streets near the venues hosting the delegations.
Ukraine is expected to field a team of national security and foreign-policy officials empowered to respond in real time to any U.S. amendments. European participants will attend primarily as observers, though French, German and British diplomats have been closely briefed on the American proposal and are likely to offer technical feedback.
Next Steps
No timeline for a final agreement has been announced. U.S. officials say the Geneva sessions are intended to identify areas of flexibility within the 28-point text and facilitate direct communication between Moscow and Kyiv. Future rounds could take place in a different European capital, depending on progress and security considerations.
For Zelenskyy, the Geneva meetings coincide with a domestic push to accelerate deliveries of Patriot, NASAMS and other air-defense batteries promised by Western governments. Ukrainian commanders argue that shielding major cities and energy infrastructure from drone and missile barrages is essential to sustain civilian morale during the negotiations.
Whether the U.S. framework evolves into a mutually acceptable settlement—or is rejected as unworkable—Sunday’s consultations are set to gauge each side’s appetite for compromise after nearly four years of war.
Crédito da imagem: AFP via Getty Images / AP
