US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that there has been ‘tremendous progress’ in the peace talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia. These discussions, held in Geneva, Switzerland, with a Ukrainian delegation, have produced a potential 28-point peace plan. The key points include the de facto recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea and Donbass, a freeze on the current lines of contact in Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, and the reduction of Ukraine’s military to around 600,000 troops, avoiding NATO membership.
Despite the significant progress, some issues remain unresolved. These include the involvement of European nations and NATO, which have been placed on a separate track for further discussions. Rubio emphasized that while some points are semantic, others require higher-level decisions and consultation, highlighting the delicate nature of the negotiations. He noted that Russian agreement is crucial for the agreement’s validity, as the final deal must be accepted by all parties involved.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Moscow has received the US peace plan, stating that it has not yet been discussed ‘in detail.’ He expressed belief that it could form the basis of a final peace settlement. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia was against discussing the roadmap through ‘megaphone diplomacy,’ indicating a preference for private negotiations rather than public debates. The ongoing discussions underscore the complexity of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and the significance of Russian cooperation in achieving a lasting peace.