In Geneva, delegations from the U.S., Ukraine and European allies (France, Britain, Germany, the EU, etc.) have convened to discuss a contentious draft peace plan, backed by Donald Trump, that proposes major concessions by Ukraine.
Key points of this 28-point proposal:
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Ukraine would recognise or hand over control of large parts of its territory (including the full Donbas region, and in some drafts Crimea) as part of the agreement.
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Ukraine’s armed forces would be significantly reduced (some sources mention a ceiling around 600 000 troops) and it would give up aspirations to join NATO or station long-range weapons.
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The draft emphasises a non-aggression pact between Ukraine, Russia and Europe, Russian reintegration into the global economy, and phased lifting of sanctions on Russia.
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President Trump has publicly said the plan is “not my final offer,” implying flexibility but also pressure on Ukraine to engage.
From the Geneva discussions:
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The U.S. delegation, including officials like Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff, emphasise that the plan is American-authored, not simply a Russian wish-list.
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European allies, however, are pushing back strongly, warning that peace must not equal Ukraine’s capitulation.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated willingness to “work honestly” on the proposal, but emphasised that fundamental principles matter to “our people”.
Reactions from the key players
Ukraine
Zelenskyy is carefully signalling that Ukraine is open to talks but is concerned about loss of sovereignty, dignity and Western support if the deal goes too far.
Ukraine’s public and political appetite for conceding territory or weakening its defence is extremely limited given what’s been at stake since 2022.
United States
The Trump administration is directing the negotiations, putting a spotlight on ending the war swiftly. Trump’s comment that the draft is “not my final offer” suggests he’s signalling both flexibility and pressure.
The U.S. insists the plan is its own, though many doubt how balanced it is given Russian favoured aspects.
European Allies
Countries like France, Germany and the UK are uneasy. They are wary that the plan gives Russia too much, weakens Ukraine’s future, and could set a precedent of weaker deterrence for Europe.
There’s concern that Ukraine might feel forced into concessions to keep Western military support flowing.
Russia
While Russia already holds a strong battlefield position in some areas, it seems to view this negotiation as favourable — the draft includes many demands Russia has long held. The Kremlin likely views this as an opportunity to solidify gains.
What are the stakes? Why this matters
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Territory and sovereignty: If Ukraine gives up parts of Donbas, Crimea or other regions, that’s a major change in its post-war map and identity.
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Military capacity & future defence: Reducing Ukraine’s army or limiting its alliances affects not just this war but its ability to defend itself in the future.
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European security: A settlement seen as too favourable to Russia could weaken the deterrence posture of Europe, embolden Russia, and undermine the rules-based international order.
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Aid & support: Ukraine’s Western backers have said support is tied to its defence capability and negotiating strength; if Ukraine appears to surrender cheaply, their support might waver.
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War continuation or peace: A deal could end the war sooner, saving lives, but a flawed deal may simply freeze conflict, sow future trouble, or empower Russia.
On the front lines: war still raging
Despite the diplomacy in Geneva, fighting continues:
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The Ternopil strike shows Russia is capable of hitting deeper into Ukraine, targeting civilians.
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Ukraine reports strikes on residential buildings in its Zaporizhzhia region while Russia reports Ukraine struck a power-plant near Moscow.
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On the eastern front, Ukraine is deploying more advanced tools — there are reports of robots being used to assist troops in dangerous frontline conditions.
In short: the war is not on pause while talks happen; decisions made in diplomacy will be shaped by battlefield realities.
What happens next? Possible scenarios
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Basic deal with major compromises: Ukraine accepts major territorial or military concessions, formal peace is signed — risk: setting a precedent that might weaken its future security.
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Extended negotiations: Because European allies push back and Ukraine resists major concessions, talks drag on, war continues — risk: fatigue, loss of leverage, worsening battlefield conditions.
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No deal / collapse: Ukraine rejects the proposal, Russia insists on more, Western support fragments — risk: war drags on indefinitely, more casualties, potential wider regional implications.
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Hybrid outcome: Some elements get agreed (ceasefire in parts, some security guarantees), but others deferred, leaving status-quo more or less frozen.
Why India / South Asia should care
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A Russia-Ukraine deal has global ripple-effects: energy prices, grain exports, global security architecture.
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If European-US consensus frays, it could embolden other regional powers to test boundaries.
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For countries in the Global South, how the war ends influences how major powers impose sanctions, shift trade, supply chains and norms of great-power intervention.
Final thoughts
This moment feels like one of the most difficult for Ukraine’s future. The negotiations in Geneva are not just about ending a war — they’re about shaping what Ukraine will be after the war: its borders, its alliances, its defence, its sovereignty.
For Ukraine, there’s a tension: the desire to end the war and relieve suffering, and the need to avoid a peace that becomes essentially a defeat.
For the U.S. and Europe, the tension is between pushing for peace swiftly, and ensuring that peace does not reward aggression or undermine defence credibility.
As the guns keep firing, the talks offer a fragile hope — but only if the deal struck gives Ukraine security, dignity and a future, not just concessions.
Reviewed by Aparna Decors
on
November 23, 2025
Rating:
