The United States has reported that talks aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have made “tremendous progress,” raising cautious optimism among Kyiv’s allies as diplomatic efforts intensify following high-level discussions in Geneva.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday, November 25, said Washington believes only a few hurdles remain before a possible agreement can be reached.
“Over the past week, the United States has made tremendous progress towards a peace deal by bringing both Ukraine and Russia to the table,” she posted on X.
Leavitt, however, added that there are a few “delicate, but not insurmountable, details that must be sorted out and will require further talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.”
This comes as U.S. media reported that negotiators may have reached an “agreement in principle,” although officials have not confirmed what such a deal might entail. The proposal by the United States, which initially met with skepticism in Europe for appearing too accommodating to Russian demands, is now being reworked with input from Kyiv’s allies.
Zelenskyy issues update on peace talks
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the Geneva meetings that “we see many prospects that can make the path to peace real,” signalling tentative approval of the revised proposals. According to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy indicated that “most of the text can be accepted” after Ukraine offered constructive changes.
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Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed measured optimism after a virtual meeting on Tuesday involving several European leaders. Starmer described the discussions as “moving in a positive direction,” while urging countries to “firm up their national commitments” to ensure robust security support for Ukraine.
Macron echoed this sentiment, saying there is “finally a chance to make real progress towards a lasting peace,” but warned against repeating past failures. He emphasised the need for “very robust security guarantees, and not guarantees only on paper,” noting that Ukraine had “experienced broken promises due to successive Russian aggressions.”
The meeting, described as a gathering of the “coalition of the willing,” brought together leaders from France, the UK, Germany, Türkiye and other partners who dialled in from abroad due to commitments in Africa. The purpose was to refine a collective response to the US proposal and coordinate positions ahead of further negotiations.
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to join the virtual discussions. His spokesperson, Omer Celik, said global leaders were increasingly seeking consultation with Ankara on developments in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, United States negotiators appear confident that the process is moving in the right direction. A spokesperson for Dan Driscoll, the President Donald Trump administration’s lead on Ukraine negotiations, said the talks are “going well.”
U.S. confident in Russia-Ukraine peace talks as strikes continue
Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Tolbert noted that “late on Monday and throughout Tuesday, Secretary Driscoll and his team have been in discussions with the Russian delegation to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine,” adding, “The talks are going well, and we remain optimistic.”
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Even as diplomatic activity accelerates, violence continues on the ground with Russia on Tuesday reporting three deaths and 10 injuries in what it called a Ukrainian attack on the Rostov region. Ukraine, meanwhile, said Russian overnight strikes on Kyiv killed seven people and wounded several others.
European governments have also sought to balance diplomatic engagement with continued military support for Kyiv. The UK announced it will provide additional air defence missiles in response to recent Russian barrages. “We have got the most robust capability, the most robust plans, on the table,” Starmer told fellow leaders.
Political tensions inside Ukraine have also resurfaced during the sensitive negotiations. The head of Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau, Semen Kryvonos, told parliament that a widening corruption scandal “will expand,” saying, “I am deeply convinced that we will have more suspects in this case.” The affair has sparked public anger and increased scrutiny of figures close to Zelenskyy.
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