On Sunday, representatives from the United States, Ukraine and the European Union held a full day of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on the conditions for ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the discussions marked "a decisive success" for Europe, telling public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk that all Europe-related provisions – including those touching on NATO – had been removed from the plan.
"From the outset, we made clear that no agreement could be reached over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians," he said.
By contrast, France has remained notably quiet following the Geneva talks, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb welcomed what he called "progress" in the Geneva meetings between US and Ukrainian officials, while stressing that "major issues remain to be resolved."
In a post on X, he said that "any decision falling in the remit of the EU or NATO will be discussed and decided by EU and NATO members in a separate track."
Stubb also held a telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday morning.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó described the 28-point proposal as "a major chance to end the war," but accused "some Western European leaders" of attempting to block it.
"Our position is clear: every European politician has a duty to support this plan fully and unconditionally, as this is the rational and humane choice," he wrote on X.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard insisted that any agreement must ensure a "just and lasting peace" and cannot legitimise changes to borders achieved by force.
She said Ukraine must retain full sovereignty, including over its elections, armed forces and its path toward EU membership.
Sweden, she added, will not recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea or any other Ukrainian territory.
Following Sunday’s talks, officials in Kyiv and Washington said the two sides were a step closer to an agreement on terms to end the conflict.
The White House said "the updated and refined peace framework" includes strengthened security guarantees and that the Ukrainian delegation viewed the new version as reflecting Ukraine’s national interests.
The original 28-point proposal had been widely criticised for requiring significant concessions from Kyiv and for placing Moscow in a privileged position.
There has been no official confirmation of which elements have been amended, but media leaks suggest the new draft provides Ukraine with greater autonomy over its internal security and its ability to enter international alliances.
Some analysts had labelled the initial version "a demand for Ukraine's capitulation."
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, triggering widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis, and prompting international condemnation of its violation of Ukraine's sovereignty.
(ał/gs)
Source: IAR