By Ayomide Otitoju
Ukrainian and United States officials are expected to meet in Switzerland in the coming days to discuss Washington’s proposed plan to end the war with Russia, Kyiv announced on Saturday, as it seeks revisions to provisions seen as accommodating some of Moscow’s toughest demands.
US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine less than a week to respond to the 28-point proposal, which would require Kyiv to cede territory, significantly reduce its armed forces, and permanently forgo any bid to join NATO. The plan has drawn concern among Ukraine’s European partners, who were excluded from its drafting and are now working on counter-proposals during the G20 summit in South Africa.
“In the coming days, consultations will take place with partners regarding the steps needed to end the war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said after issuing a decree naming the Ukrainian delegation for the talks, which will be led by his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. He emphasized that the team is prepared to defend “Ukraine’s national interests” and ensure Russia is prevented from launching “a third invasion.”
Security advisers from France, Britain and Germany are expected to join the discussions in Geneva on Sunday morning, according to officials at the G20 summit. Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s national security council and a member of the delegation, also indicated Switzerland as the venue, calling the talks “another stage of the dialogue” aimed at coordinating positions with allies.
Zelensky’s decree noted that “representatives of the Russian Federation” are also expected at the negotiations, though there has been no confirmation from Moscow.
European leaders meeting in South Africa said the US plan could serve as a “basis” for further work but warned that several of its provisions raise serious concerns. “We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force,” the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Canada and Japan said in a joint statement, adding that proposed limits on Ukraine’s military capabilities could leave the country exposed to future aggression.
French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a stark message to fellow leaders, suggesting the G20 may be “coming to the end of a cycle” as it struggles to address multiple global crises, including the unilateral US peace proposal.
Britain, Germany and France have become Ukraine’s most influential supporters as Washington’s backing has weakened since Trump’s return to office.
In a national address on Friday, Zelensky said Ukraine is facing “one of the most challenging moments” in its history and vowed to present alternative ideas to Trump’s proposal. “Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner,” he warned.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the US blueprint could “lay the foundation” for a final settlement but cautioned that Moscow would seize more territory if Kyiv withdraws from talks. Russian forces, bolstered by greater numbers and equipment, continue to make incremental gains along the front.
Ukraine is also bracing for one of its harshest winters since the full-scale invasion began, following extensive Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, a sweeping corruption investigation into the energy sector has triggered public anger in Kyiv, adding to the government’s domestic pressures.
