President Donald Trump injected new tension into peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on Sunday, publicly accusing Kyiv leaders of showing “zero gratitude” for U.S. support as U.S. officials in Geneva worked to present a united front.
Trump's “Pravda” social commentary comes at a sensitive moment: his administration is pressing Ukraine to accept 28-point peace proposal for Thanksgivingeven as confusion over the plan's authorship and concerns among European allies and U.S. lawmakers have raised questions about whose interests it serves.
Senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, met this weekend with Ukrainian officials in Geneva, Switzerland, to push forward peace talks to end the war.
On Sunday, after a full day of talks, Rubio told reporters that “tremendous progress” had been made.
He added that “there's still some work to be done, but we're much further along today than we were when we started this morning, and where we certainly were a week ago.”
“So, in my personal opinion, we had perhaps the most productive and meaningful meeting in this entire process since we were involved in it from the beginning,” he said. “We have a very good working product that has already been created based on the input of all parties involved, and now we have been able to go through some of these items, step by step. And I think we have made good progress.”
Another U.S. official told NBC News that Rubio, Witkoff and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met with the Ukrainian delegation at the U.S. mission in Geneva. US officials said the discussions were “positive and constructive”.
IN fast Later on Sunday, in a Telegram, Zelensky thanked the United States and European allies.
“Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and to President Trump personally for the assistance that, starting with the Javelin, is saving the lives of Ukrainians. We thank everyone in Europe, the G7 and G20 who are helping us protect lives,” he wrote.
Ukrainian and European leaders have expressed concern about the peace proposal, and some European leaders and U.S. lawmakers close to Trump have also expressed concern that it benefits Russia.
“While there are many good ideas in the proposed Russian-Ukrainian peace plan, there are several areas that are very problematic and could be improved. The goal of any peace agreement is to end the war fairly and fairly, not to create new conflict,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote in the post on X Saturday.
Trump's other top ally in the Senate, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mo., also expressed concern Friday. “This so-called ‘peace plan’ has real problems and I am very skeptical that it will lead to peace,” he wrote in his letter. mail on X.
On Saturday, Trump told reporters that this particular proposal “not my last sentence” He added that if Zelensky does not accept the peace proposal, “then he can continue to fight with all his might.”
In a video after the proposal was made public, Zelensky said: “Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the toughest.”
He added: “Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice: either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner, or a difficult 28 points, or a very difficult winter.”
Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, told Fox News' “The Sunday Briefing” that the 28 points are the starting point for negotiations.
“This is only the first proposal, unattainable, and indeed, this is a wish list. This is not a document or an agreement. This is simply a list of points that are being discussed right now, and this is an agreed line with Ukraine and the United States that this will be a constructive process of reconciliation,” she said.
On Saturday evening, several US lawmakers questioned whether the peace proposal was drawn up by the US or Russia.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-D., said Saturday that “none of the information that has been released on this particular proposal has come from the administration” following his Saturday afternoon call with Rubio.
“We asked: “This, you know? Where did this come from? And he said, “This was a product that was presented to Mr. Witkoff, and that it was not our proposal, but it was an opportunity for the United States as an intermediary to bring it to the attention of the Ukrainians and, I believe, the Europeans as well,” Rounds added.
In a post on Channel X late Saturday, Rubio said the plan had been approved by U.S. officials.
“The peace proposal was authored by the United States. It is offered as a solid basis for ongoing negotiations,” he said. wrote. “It is based on the contribution of the Russian side. But it is also based on the previous and current contribution of Ukraine.”
