November 25, 2025 — The war in Ukraine has entered a critical diplomatic phase, with intense negotiations taking place over a US-brokered peace plan aimed at ending the protracted conflict. Following weekend talks, officials from Kyiv and its European allies have moved to substantially revise the draft, which was initially deemed by many as overly favorable to Moscow.
🕊️ Diplomatic Offensive: US Plan Revised After Pushback
The focus remains on the original 28-point proposal, reportedly drafted by representatives from the Trump administration and Moscow, which caused alarm in Kyiv and European capitals last week.
-
Substantial Amendments: Ukrainian and US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, met in Geneva over the weekend. Following the discussions, they announced they had created an “updated and refined peace framework.”
-
A Slimmer Plan: Sources indicate the plan was significantly cut down and now includes only 19 points, with several controversial Russian maximalist demands removed. Key points of contention, such as calls for Ukraine to limit the size of its army, formally recognize occupied territory as Russian, and agree not to join NATO, have been heavily scrutinized.
-
Ukrainian Interests: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that his team secured the incorporation of several elements vital to Ukraine’s national security interests, though he conceded that the issue of territorial integrity remains “the main problem.” Kyiv and its allies continue to rule out any territorial concessions.
-
Trump’s Optimism: US President Donald Trump, who had previously criticized Kyiv for a “zero gratitude” attitude, later struck an optimistic tone, suggesting “big progress” was being made. Reports indicate that Zelenskyy may travel to Washington this week to finalize an agreement.
-
European Involvement: European leaders, who were initially blindsided by the US initiative, have insisted on being fully involved in the process, stressing that any final deal must fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and not “favor the aggressor.”
💥 On the Battlefield: Escalation Amidst Talks
The diplomatic push is set against a backdrop of continued Russian military action, underscoring the pressure on Kyiv to secure a favorable deal.
-
Nightly Barrages: Russia has continued its strategy of mass strikes, launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles overnight, primarily targeting civilian infrastructure and the energy grid in Kyiv and other major cities like Kharkiv. Authorities reported multiple civilian casualties.
-
Moscow’s Stance: The Kremlin has stated that while “many provisions” of the original plan were acceptable, they had not yet seen the revised document and reserved judgment. President Vladimir Putin has warned that if Ukraine rejects the framework, Russian forces would continue their offensive and seize more ground.
The coming days are considered “crucial” by European leaders, as the “coalition of the willing” supporting Ukraine gathers virtually to discuss collective security commitments for a potential ceasefire.