Ukraine war latest: Trump’s team arrives in Geneva to negotiate peace deal

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that “all diplomatic resources” should be used to end the war in Ukraine with a fair and lasting peace, his office said on Sunday, as the countries discussed a draft US plan to end the war.

NATO member Turkey maintained cordial relations between Kiev and Moscow during the war, providing military aid to Ukraine but refusing to join Western sanctions on Moscow. It has hosted three rounds of peace talks between the parties and has offered to host a leaders’ meeting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the teams’ meeting in Switzerland is working on “positive results” following Trump’s Russia peace proposal.

He said on

“The Ukrainian and American teams, as well as the teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I hope that an outcome will be reached. The bloodshed must be stopped, and we must ensure that the war does not resume.

“I look forward to the outcome of today’s talks and hope that all participants will be constructive. We all need a positive outcome.”

Ukraine’s delegation has begun its work in Geneva to discuss Washington’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine, head of delegation Andriy Yermak said on Sunday.

“In general, a series of meetings in various formats are planned for today. We will continue to work together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine,” Yermak said on X.

“The next meeting will be with the US delegation. We are very constructive.”

As the talks were about to begin, a convoy of diplomatic vehicles passed through Geneva on Sunday morning.

US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll was also in Geneva for the talks, while Ukraine’s delegation is led by the head of Zelensky’s office, Andriy Yermak.

National security advisers from the EU as well as the E3 alliance of France, Britain and Germany are joining the discussions. Italy was also sending an officer.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would talk to Zelensky on Sunday about the peace plan.

European and other Western leaders said Saturday that the US peace plan, which supports key Russian demands, was the basis for negotiations to end the war but that “additional work” was needed as they seek a better deal for Kiev before Thursday’s deadline.

A German government source said a European draft peace plan, based on the US proposal, has been sent to Ukraine and the US administration.

Ahead of the talks, Zelensky warned that Ukraine risked losing its dignity and independence – or Washington’s support – over the plan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the plan as the basis for conflict resolution, but Moscow may have objections to some of the plan’s proposals, which would require its forces to withdraw from some areas under their control.

Zia Yousaf, head of policy at Reform UK, said there are some concerns about Donald Trump’s peace plan to end the Russia–Ukraine war and “our initial reaction is that Vladimir Putin is being given too much”.

Asked about the US president’s peace plan, he told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme: “Well, look, as Nigel told the Telegraph on Friday, I think there are some concerns about this and we’ll wait and see what the Ukrainian, formal Ukrainian response is.

“But I think ultimately, the most important stakeholders with respect to Ukraine’s sovereignty are Ukrainians themselves.

“I think our initial reaction is that Vladimir Putin is being given too much, which is what we are concerned about.

“But then again, the most important stakeholder in Ukraine’s sovereignty, as we just heard, are Ukrainians themselves.”

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces had taken control of Petrivske in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, as well as Tikhe and Odhradne in Kharkiv.

Independent These reports could not be confirmed.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Geneva on Sunday to discuss Washington’s draft plan to end the war in Ukraine, a US official said.