US and European Officials Discuss Ukraine Peace Plan Amid Tensions

A Republican member of the United States Congress has responded to President Donald Trump’s recent remarks regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which Trump claimed that Ukrainian leadership had shown no gratitude for American support. Representative Don Bacon, a lawmaker from Nebraska, countered Trump’s statement made on social media, asserting that it is Russia that initiated the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasised that he has heard Zelenskyy express gratitude for military assistance from the US on numerous occasions.

Bacon stated, "The President continues to ignore that it is Russia who invaded Ukraine and is bombing cities every night. Putin ordered this invasion. Why the moral confusion?" Bacon, a retired brigadier general and former member of the House Armed Services Committee, previously expressed to CNN that attempting negotiations without the attendance of Ukraine's leadership would be a significant error, drawing parallels to Trump's negotiations with the Taliban that excluded the Afghan government.

In the United Kingdom, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander appeared on Sky News earlier today, where she was questioned about the UK government’s involvement in the recently proposed 28-point peace plan by the Trump administration for Ukraine. Despite multiple inquiries, Alexander refrained from confirming whether the UK had been consulted prior to the plan's announcement, instead highlighting the strong relationship between the UK, Ukraine, and the US, and the efforts required to finalise an agreement.

“Our voice does count with them [the US],” Alexander affirmed, adding, “We do need to try to seize this moment.”

Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, expressed optimism for advancing the peace deal, noting that Ukraine's proposals align with critical national priorities. In a post on social media platform X, Umerov stated, “We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns in order to reach this critical point, and we expect to make more progress today.”

Reports suggest that discussions in Geneva among US officials have been characterised as “productive” and “even conclusive in some areas,” as they explore potential resolutions to the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces reported successful strikes against ammunition depots, sniper positions, and five locations of the Russian military near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne cited an SSO report detailing a significant hit on a sniper position set up by Russian forces within an industrial facility, which provided a tactical advantage to the attackers. Additionally, Ukrainian forces targeted ammunition depots containing drones.

European representatives have submitted a revised version of the US peace plan for Ukraine, which challenges proposed limitations on Ukraine's military capabilities and territorial concessions. This document, reviewed by the news agency Reuters, suggests capping Ukraine’s military at 800,000 personnel during peacetime, in contrast to the 600,000 cap proposed by the US. Furthermore, it states that negotiations regarding territorial adjustments should commence from the existing Line of Contact.

The modified proposal also outlines that Ukraine should hold elections as promptly as possible following the agreement’s ratification. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that discussions in Geneva might incorporate elements beneficial to Ukrainian national interests. In his latest update, he stated that he had received preliminary reports from Kyiv’s delegation regarding the talks thus far.

“Currently, there is an understanding that the American proposals may include a number of elements based on Ukrainian perspectives and critical for Ukrainian national interests,” Zelenskyy noted. He added, “Further work is ongoing to make all elements truly effective in achieving the main goal anticipated by our people: to finally put an end to the bloodshed and war.”

As the US and Ukrainian delegations continue their discussions in Geneva, a source familiar with the negotiations informed Reuters that the main talks have commenced. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, known for his close rapport with Donald Trump, has praised the US president's commitment to finding a resolution to the conflict, stating that Trump is working “very hard” to secure a solution.

Stubb also stressed the importance of maintaining the transatlantic relationship with the US. In a separate development, the Kyiv Post reported that 47 European lawmakers have issued a letter urging Trump to avoid “appeasement of Russia,” arguing that any pressure exerted on Ukraine, which is the victim of aggression, is morally indefensible. The letter, signed by lawmakers from various European nations, appeals to Trump’s core messaging, asserting, “A cowed America can never be great again; a cowed America can never be first.”