Ukraine and Allies Engage in Peace Talks Over U.S. Proposal

Negotiations aimed at formulating a U.S.-proposed peace plan to conclude Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine commenced in Geneva on November 5, 2023. According to Ukrainian officials, the discussions involve high-ranking national security advisers from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, alongside a Ukrainian delegation led by presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak.

In a statement on social media, Yermak expressed optimism about the initial meeting, indicating a “very constructive mood” among the participants. He stated, “The next meeting is with the U.S. delegation. We continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine.” This dialogue is expected to involve key U.S. figures, including Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, alongside Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conveyed his anticipation for the outcome of the talks, emphasizing the necessity for a “positive result” for all involved. In a Telegram post, he noted, “Ukrainian and American teams, teams of our European partners – are in close contact, and I very much hope there will be a result. Bloodshed must be stopped and it must be guaranteed that the war will not be reignited.”

The U.S. proposal, consisting of 28 points, has raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe, leading to a united front among Western allies aiming to amend the proposal, which is perceived as favoring Moscow. A joint statement released on November 4 highlighted that while the plan “includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace,” it requires further refinement.

Zelenskyy remarked on November 3 that Ukraine faces a critical decision between defending its sovereign rights and maintaining essential U.S. support. The proposed plan includes concessions to several demands made by Russia, which Ukraine has consistently rejected, such as relinquishing significant territories.

Before the Geneva talks, Alice Rufo, France’s minister delegate at the Defense Ministry, addressed the media, stating that pivotal discussion points would involve the proposed restrictions on the Ukrainian military, which she characterized as “a limitation on its sovereignty.” Rufo asserted, “Ukraine must be able to defend itself. Russia wants war and has waged war many times in fact over the past years.”

In remarks made before the talks, Rubio indicated that the U.S. proposal was not intended as a “final offer.” He stated, “I would like to get to peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened. One way or the other, we have to get it ended.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed readiness to collaborate on the peace initiative with leaders from Europe, Canada, and Japan. Nonetheless, he questioned the authorship of the plan, stating, “It would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where it was created.”

Some U.S. lawmakers expressed skepticism regarding the authenticity of the U.S. proposal. They claimed Rubio referred to the plan as a “wish list” of Russian demands rather than a legitimate Washington-led initiative. During a news conference, a bipartisan group of senators indicated they had discussed the plan with Rubio, who clarified that it was not the administration’s creation.

In response to these claims, Rubio firmly rejected the assertions, stating via social media that, “The peace proposal was authored by the U.S. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations.” He further clarified that it incorporates input from both Russian and Ukrainian perspectives.

The U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott dismissed the allegations made by lawmakers as “blatantly false.” He reiterated that the proposal was indeed crafted by the United States, integrating insights from both parties involved in the conflict. A senior official from the U.S. government emphasized that the peace plan serves as a hopeful starting point for continued negotiations, ultimately aiming for a conclusive peace agreement.

As the talks progress, the international community remains watchful, hopeful for a resolution that brings an end to the conflict and addresses the needs of all parties involved.