US President Donald Trump said the US plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine is not his “final offer” for Kyiv, after Ukrainian allies raised concerns about the proposals.
Earlier Saturday, leaders from Europe, Canada and Japan said the plan contained elements “essential for a just and lasting peace” but would “require additional work,” citing concerns about border changes and limits on the Ukrainian military.
On Sunday, security officials from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States and Ukraine will meet in Geneva, Switzerland.
President Volodymyr Zelensky previously warned that Ukraine was facing “one of the most difficult moments in our history” due to pressure from the United States to accept the plan, seen as favorable to Moscow.
Trump has given Ukraine until November 27 to agree to the 28-point plan, while Russian President Vladimir Putin said it could be the “basis” for a deal.
Asked Saturday if the current draft plan was his final offer for Ukraine, Trump told reporters at the White House: “No, it’s not my final offer.”
“One way or another we have to put an end to [a la guerra]so we are working on it,” he added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will be among those taking part in talks in Geneva on Sunday. National security advisor Jonathan Powell will attend on behalf of the United Kingdom.
Saturday’s joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany and Norway. Two senior European Union officials were also among the signatories.
The statement said: “We believe, therefore, that the draft is a foundation that will require additional work. We stand ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders should not be changed by force.”
The text also expressed concern about “the proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, spoke by phone with Zelensky on Saturday, followed by a call with Trump.
A Downing Street spokesman said Starmer conveyed to the US president the discussions that have taken place between the countries participating in the coalition of Ukraine allies present at the G20 summit.
Starmer previously said he was concerned about the proposed limits on Ukraine’s military in the US plan, noting that “it is critical that Ukraine can defend itself if there is a ceasefire.”
The widely leaked US peace plan proposes a withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the part of the eastern Donetsk region they currently control, and de facto Russian control over Donetsk, as well as the neighboring Luhansk region and the Crimean peninsula in the south, annexed by Russia in 2014.
The plan also includes freezing the borders of Ukraine’s southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along the current battle lines. Both regions are partially occupied by Russia.
The US draft would also limit Ukraine’s military to 600,000 troops, with European fighter jets stationed in neighboring Poland.
Kyiv would receive “reliable security guarantees,” according to the plan, although no details have been given. The document notes that “it is expected” that Russia will not invade its neighbors and that NATO will not expand further.
The plan also suggests that Russia be “reintegrated into the global economy,” by lifting sanctions and inviting Russia to rejoin the G7 group of the world’s most powerful countries, making it the G8 again.
A dilemma for Ukraine
On Friday, Trump said Zelensky would have to “like” the US proposals, adding that otherwise Ukraine and Russia would continue fighting.
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian leader addressed the nation with a stark warning that the country “could face a very difficult choice: lose face or risk losing a key partner.”
“Today is one of the most difficult times in our history,” Zelensky added, pledging to work “constructively” with the Americans on the plan.
On Saturday, Zelensky announced that his chief of office, Andriy Yermak, would lead Ukraine’s negotiating team in future talks on a peace deal, including those that may involve Russia.
“Our representatives know how to defend Ukraine’s national interests and exactly what must be done to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion, another attack on Ukraine,” the president said in a video message posted on social media.
Kyiv is critically dependent on deliveries of advanced American-made weaponry, including air defense systems to repel deadly Russian airstrikes, as well as intelligence provided by Washington.
Putin confirmed on Friday that Moscow had received the US plan, but said it had not been discussed in detail with the Kremlin.
He added that Moscow was willing to “show flexibility” but also prepared to continue fighting.
Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In recent months, Russian troops have been advancing slowly in the southeastern region of Ukraine, despite reports of heavy combat casualties.
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