U.S. and Ukraine Agree on Most Points of Peace Plan in Geneva — RBC-Ukraine 

After negotiations in Geneva, the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations managed to agree on most provisions of the American peace plan and adjust many of the disputed points, Orda.kz reports, citing RBC-Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the meeting was “the most productive in ten months” of work on the peace process. Andriy Yermak, who led the Ukrainian delegation, also described the dialogue as “very productive.”

According to the outlet, agreement was reached on issues including the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the status of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, and the format of prisoner exchanges.

However, the most contentious points — territorial issues and a proposal to enshrine Ukraine’s non-entry into NATO in the Constitution — were set aside for discussion at the presidential level.

The Draft Plan's Content

The 28 points published in the media last week are not the final version but a draft passed to Ukraine for discussion. These were the basis of the Geneva talks.

Key disputes remain over territorial provisions. The U.S. draft envisions a demilitarized buffer zone in part of the Donetsk region under Russian control, and de facto recognition of Russia’s hold over Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. The front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen.

In return, Russia would withdraw from occupied parts of Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv regions.

A Ukrainian source told RBC-Ukraine that U.S. military officials warned Kyiv that the situation on the front is worsening and that without changes, Ukraine risks losing all of the Donetsk region within a year.

Other Disputed Points

The initial U.S. proposal also included joint Ukrainian–Russian supervision of the Zaporizhzhia NPP and a reduction of Ukraine’s army to 600,000. There were no references to the Russian Orthodox Church, the Russian language, or limits on Ukrainian weapons.

According to RBC-Ukraine’s sources, the Americans asked Kyiv what army size it considered realistic, if not 600,000.

Next Steps

Background

The U.S. presented its 28-point peace proposal on November 20. It requires Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas, reduce its military, and give up long-range weapons, among other concessions.

On November 23, U.S., Ukrainian, and European representatives met in Geneva to adjust the plan in Ukraine’s favor. Following the talks, Kyiv and Washington drafted an updated framework document and agreed to continue intensive work in the coming days.