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U.S. and Ukrainian officials said they made progress Sunday on President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Ukraine, but the plan is running into major resistance from Europe, which fears it gives too much away to Moscow.
Washington and Kyiv issued a joint statement saying any future deal must “fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the meeting the most productive to date. But the real drama unfolded around the American plan itself.
Europe vs. Trump’s proposal
Trump’s 28-point plan has worried European leaders from the moment it was released. The proposal echoes major Russian demands: that Ukraine cede territory, scale down its army, and abandon NATO membership. It also suggests reintegrating Russia into the G8 and easing Western sanctions — moves Europe sees as premature and dangerous.
EU officials spent the entire weekend scrambling to avoid being sidelined. Delegations from France, Germany, Italy and others rushed to Geneva for parallel meetings, trying to reshape the direction of the talks. Several countries warned the plan in its current form could leave Ukraine exposed to future attacks.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz openly expressed doubts that a workable deal could be reached by Trump’s November 27 deadline. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized that Europe must remain central to any settlement — and that Ukraine has the sovereign right to choose its future, including its path toward Europe.
Kyiv caught between two fronts
Ukraine is under pressure from both sides. Trump publicly accused Kyiv of showing “no gratitude,” prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to defend his country’s appreciation for U.S. support. At the same time, Ukraine is working closely with European partners on counter-proposals that start from the current front lines, avoid pre-agreed territorial concessions, and focus on long-term security guarantees.
A plan far from agreed
While U.S. and Ukrainian officials called Sunday’s talks a step forward, Europe’s pushback shows just how divided the Western response remains. With competing drafts on the table and a deadline approaching, the real question now is whose vision of peace will shape the endgame — Washington’s, or Europe’s.
*With information from Kathimerini.gr.
