Donald Trump says his proposal to end the war in Ukraine has been "fine-tuned" after talks in Geneva and he will now send his special envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the plan with Vladimir Putin.
Trump has said he will only meet with Putin and Zelensky himself when the terms of a peace deal are “final”.
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday evening, the US president said he was sending envoys to Moscow and Kyiv in a bid to iron out a “few remaining points of disagreement” between the warring countries.
Mr Trump said negotiators are getting “very close” to a deal, with reports suggesting Ukraine is ready to “move forward” with the peace framework proposed by the US.
Kyiv said that it supports the “essence” of a peace agreement after intense negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Geneva.
But a Ukrainian official said the most sensitive issues in the agreement would still need to be discussed by Trump and president Volodymyr Zelensky, after a US official claimed that Kyiv had accepted the terms of an agreement.
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Key Points
- Trump says Ukraine peace plan proposal 'fine-tuned'
- Ukraine destroys Russian laser aircraft in successful strikes on bases
- Ukraine must cede land for peace deal, Witkoff reportedly told Kremlin
- Kremlin 'to reject peace plan' and extend war until Christmas
Kremlin 'to reject peace plan' and extend war until Christmas
04:31 , Arpan RaiRussia is likely to reject the new 19-point ceasefire deal drafted by the US and Ukraine, the New York Post quoted sources as saying, in a development that would see the war drag on into another winter.
The report suggested Russia could resort to using disinformation tactics to drag out talks without actually making any commitment to stop fighting or rejecting the peace process altogether.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to advance a US-backed framework for ending the war with Russia and discuss any final points of dispute with Trump, in talks he said should include European allies.
After Trump’s earlier 28-point peace plan was dubbed a “wish list from Russia” by US senators and criticised heavily by Ukrainians and European nations, officials from Kyiv, Europe and US sat down in Geneva on Monday to hammer out a 19-point peace plan which Zelensky said was acceptable.
Watch: Zelensky says Russia's top priority is war after Trump hints Ukraine negotiators 'very close' to peace deal
04:02 , Arpan RaiTrump backs away from Ukraine peace plan deadline
03:35 , Arpan RaiUS president Donald Trump has backed away from a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to agree to a US-proposed peace plan.
Trump, speaking to reporters on board Air Force One as he flew to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, said US negotiators were making progress in discussions with Russia and Ukraine, and Moscow had agreed to some concessions. He did not detail them.
But he and his aides have moved away from a firm deadline and now say they would like an agreement as soon as possible.
“The deadline for me is when it's over," Trump said on the presidential aircraft.
A US-based framework for ending the war, first reported last week, prompted fresh concerns that the Trump administration might be willing to push Ukraine to sign a peace deal heavily tilted toward Moscow.
Several rounds of talks have followed, and Ukraine now says it has an "understanding" with the US on a new version.
Ukraine destroys Russian laser aircraft in successful strikes on bases
03:16 , Arpan RaiUkraine says it has carried out successful strikes on multiple Russian airbases, hitting an experimental A-60 airborne laser platform and a Russian Il-76 transport aircraft.
The aircraft were identified in an update from Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's drone forces.
Earlier, Ukraine's armed forces General Staff reported successful strikes on several strategic Russian targets, including the Taganrog Aircraft Repair Plant and the Atlant Aero drone manufacturing facility in Rostov oblast.
The General Staff had said that the A-60 at the Taganrog aircraft repair plant in southwestern Russia had likely been hit, before Brovdi shared a satellite image confirming the damage.
The A-60 is a rare Soviet-era experimental aircraft based on the Il-76 and is equipped with an airborne laser system. Estimated to be worth between $150m and $480m, it was developed to test missile defence and anti-satellite technologies.
Trump says Ukraine peace plan proposal 'fine-tuned'
02:52 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump has said a proposal to end Russia's war in Ukraine has been "fine-tuned" and announced he's sending his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Vladimir Putin.
Witkoff reportedly advised Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov that Putin should call Trump to congratulate him for the Gaza peace deal, say Russia had supported it and that he respects the president as a man of peace. The remarks from the transcript were published by Bloomberg yesterday.
The White House did not dispute the veracity of the transcript, and Trump described Witkoff's reported approach to the Russians in the call as "standard" negotiating procedure.
“He's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's got to sell Ukraine to Russia," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to his home in Florida last night. "That's what a dealmaker does."
Watch: Zelensky says Ukraine peace deal has fewer than 28 points after Geneva talks
02:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneComment: As Trump bends to Putin’s will again on Ukraine, it is time for Europe to go it alone
01:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
As Trump bends to Putin’s will again on Ukraine, it is time for Europe to go it alone
Recap: Russia dashes Trump’s hope of quick peace deal in Ukraine after rejecting European proposal
00:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Russia dashes Trump’s hope of quick peace deal after rejecting European proposal
Ukraine must cede land for peace deal, Witkoff reportedly told Kremlin
Tuesday 25 November 2025 23:33 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine must cede land including the Donetsk region in order to achieve a peace deal, US special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly told officials in Moscow last month.
Bloomberg reported that the conversation took place on 14 October.
“Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere,” Mr Witkoff reportedly told senior Kremlin official Yuri Ushakov during the five-minute conversation, according to Bloomberg’s transcript.
“But I’m saying instead of talking like that, let’s talk more hopefully because I think we’re going to get to a deal here.”
Starmer says changes to draft peace plan are 'constructive' and 'could be accepted'
Tuesday 25 November 2025 23:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolitical correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
Sir Keir Starmer says the changes that have been proposed to the draft peace plan are "constructive" and "could be accepted", arguing the talks are moving "in a positive direction".
Speaking at the top of a Coalition of the Willing call, the prime minister said: "I welcome some of the developments that have now come forward.
"It was a chance to ensure that the draft plan fully reflects Ukraine’s interests and lays the ground for a lasting peace."
He added: "They’ve proposed some constructive changes. And of course some of our National Security Advisers were there in Geneva to support the talks.
"So I do think we’re moving in a positive direction – and indications today that in large part the majority of the text looks as though, Volodymyr is indicating, could be accepted."
Watch: Starmer hits out at Putin’s ‘depraved ambitions’
Tuesday 25 November 2025 23:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSeven injured after Russian drones cause mass damage in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia
Tuesday 25 November 2025 22:54 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRussian forces staged a mass drone attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia late on Tuesday, triggering fires, injuring at least seven people and badly damaging buildings and vehicles, the regional governor said.
Ivan Fedorov, posting on the Telegram messaging app, said the attack had destroyed shops, damaged other buildings and smashed cars. He said seven people had been injured, with three of them in hospital.
"A rescue operation is currently underway at 12 locations," Mr Fedorov said in a video posted online. "The maximum number of units from the State Emergency Services, national police and our medical teams has been deployed."
Pictures posted online showed firefighters battling blazes at high-rise apartment buildings and gutted vehicles on city streets.
The Russia-appointed head of the Zaporizhzhia region held by Russia, Yevgeny Belitsky, said Ukrainian forces had attacked power grid infrastructure in Russian-controlled areas.
Belitsky, writing on Telegram, said power had been cut to 40,000 customers in Russian-controlled towns in the region.
Zelensky says sensitive issues to be discussed with Trump
Tuesday 25 November 2025 22:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneVolodymyr Zelensky has said a proposed peace plan now under discussion with the United States and Europe has incorporated "correct" points, but sensitive issues were to be discussed with US president Donald Trump.
"As of now, after (talks in) Geneva, there are fewer points, no longer 28, and many correct elements have been incorporated into this framework," Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
"Our team has already reported today on the new draft of steps and this is truly the right approach. The sensitive issues, the most delicate points, I will discuss with President Trump,” he said.
Zelensky said the process of producing a final document would be difficult and Ukraine appreciated the assistance offered by other countries and the "constructive" US approach.
He said it was in Russia's interests to disrupt the peace process and warned Ukrainians to pay particular attention to air raid alerts in the days and weeks to come "as we fully understand who we are dealing with".
Zelensky said that if negotiations proceeded on resolving the war "there must be no missiles, no massive strikes on Ukraine and our people. This is something that those who are strong in the world can ensure.”
Ukrainian president's chief of staff expects US army secretary Driscoll in Kyiv
Tuesday 25 November 2025 22:22 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said on Tuesday he spoke to US army secretary Daniel Driscoll, a key member of the US negotiating team on a Ukrainian settlement, and expected him in Kyiv this week.
"Thank you for your objectivity and constructiveness," Yermak wrote on Telegram. "As set out by President Trump, we expect the (army secretary) in Kyiv this week, and we are ready to continue working as quickly as possible to finalise the steps necessary to end the bloodshed."
Yermak, part of the Ukrainian delegation that held talks in Geneva with US officials on Washington's peace proposal, said those talks were "a good foundation" and added that Zelensky and his team were "fully committed to further work".
'Nothing to suggest' Moscow are willing to engage in 'serious' peace talks, Swedish PM says
Tuesday 25 November 2025 22:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThere have been no indications Russia is “ready to engage constructively in serious negotiations,” Swedish prime minister Ulf Krissterson has said.
In a post on X, he wrote that the ball “now clearly lies” with Moscow.
“I participated just now in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine,” he wrote.
“The main point of the meeting was the framework for peace, which Ukraine and the USA have now jointly reviewed.
“The ball now lies, as so often before, clearly with Russia. If Russia were to have a genuine will to end the war, they have all the opportunities to do so. But so far, we have seen nothing to suggest that they would be ready to engage constructively in serious negotiations.
“At the meeting, I therefore emphasized that we must continue to increase the pressure on Russia. We know that the sanctions have a significant effect on the Russian economy and freedom of action. We must also use the frozen Russian assets to the benefit of Ukraine.”
'Much depends on the US,' Zelensky says
Tuesday 25 November 2025 21:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is “counting on” continued cooperation from the US.
In his evening address on X, he said it is “America's strength that Russia takes most seriously”.
“We worked with the Ukrainian negotiating team today on the text of the document prepared with the United States in Geneva,” he wrote. “The principles in this document can be developed into deeper agreements. It is in our shared interest that security is real.
“I count on continued active cooperation with the American side and President Trump. Much depends on the United States because it’s America's strength that Russia takes most seriously.
“I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine.”
We worked with the Ukrainian negotiating team today on the text of the document prepared with the United States in Geneva.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 25, 2025
The principles in this document can be developed into deeper agreements.
It is in our shared interest that security is real.
I count on continued… pic.twitter.com/JtoR9eAzYH
'Coalition of the Willing' supports Trump's efforts to put an end to Ukraine war
Tuesday 25 November 2025 21:02 , Holly EvansCoalition of the Willing leaders agreed to “accelerate” work on security guarantees for Ukraine alongside the US, according to a joint statement released after their meeting on Tuesday.
The statement from President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, and Sir Keir Starmer said: “Building on the work and planning conducted within the Coalition during the past few months, leaders agreed with Secretary (Marco) Rubio to accelerate joint work with the United States to take forward the planning on security guarantees.
“They tasked their military authorities to complete joint planning work to that effect.
“Leaders also reiterated their determination to continue to reinforce their financial and military support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia and its war machine, as long as Russia refuses to engage on the path toward a just and lasting peace.”
Europe, America, and Ukraine are 'aligned' in peace agreement conditions, Dutch PM says
Tuesday 25 November 2025 21:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEurope, America, and Ukraine are all “aligned” in conditions they require for a peace deal, Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof has said.
In a post on X, he wrote it is “essential” that Russia and Ukraine sit down at the negotiating table together if an agreement is to be reached.
“Developments continue to follow one another at a rapid pace,” he wrote.
“We have once again confirmed that Europe, America, and Ukraine are aligned when it comes to the conditions for a peace agreement. A deal can only succeed if Ukraine agrees to it.
“To that end, it is essential that Ukraine and Russia continue working on the peace plan and ultimately come to the table with each other. That is the only chance for a sustainable and just peace.”
Met een brede groep van de Coaliton of the Willing verder gesproken over het vredesplan voor Oekraïne, waarbij ook de Oekraïense president Zelensky en de Amerikaanse minister van Buitenlandse Zaken Rubio aansloten.
— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) November 25, 2025
De ontwikkelingen blijven zich in een hoog tempo opvolgen. We… pic.twitter.com/8yxD05ILi9
Who are the key players in Ukraine-Russia peace talks?
Tuesday 25 November 2025 20:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNegotiations are continuing as US president Donald Trump aims to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine before Thanksgiving.
It comes after a peace plan proposed by Washington on Friday was criticised as pro-Russian. European leaders have responded with a counter-proposal that reasserts Ukraine’s demands.
It includes respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, freedom to advance its Nato ambitions and EU membership aspirations and maintain a large military to deter the threat of future Russian aggression.
Several countries and high-profile individuals are involved in the discussions. The Independent looks at some of the key characters below.
From blacklisted businessman to ex-film producer: Key players in Ukraine peace talks
War 'not over yet', Zelensky says
Tuesday 25 November 2025 20:09 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRussia’s war in Ukraine is “not over yet”, Zelensky has said following a call between the “coalition of the willing”.
In a post on X he thanked leaders for their continued support and said it was “important” Kyiv continues to rally for “defence and democracy”.
Russia’s war against Ukraine hasn’t ended yet – every day, Russia kills our people on the front lines and attacks our cities and energy infrastructure. So, while diplomatic efforts to end this war continue, it is crucial that our partners don’t forget that Ukraine still needs… pic.twitter.com/pdYlHOoUBB
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 25, 2025
Trump sends envoys to Moscow and Ukraine in bid to work through 'few remaining points'
Tuesday 25 November 2025 19:41 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS president Donald Trump has said he will send envoys to Moscow and Kyiv in a bid to iron out a “few remaining points of disagreement” in his peace plan.
In a post on Truth Social, he said special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Putin in Moscow, as secretary of the army Dan Driscoll will meet with the Ukrainians.
He added he “looked forward to hopefully” meeting with Zelensky and Putin “soon” but that it would only be when the deal is “final, or in its final stages”.
“Let’s all hope that PEACE can be accomplished AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!,” he wrote.
Ukraine and US edge towards peace deal as Trump says ‘We’re getting very close’
Tuesday 25 November 2025 19:16 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine and the United States appear to be edging closer to a peace deal over the war with Russia, in a potentially significant diplomatic shift following crunch talks in Switzerland.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday Kyiv was ready to move forward with a framework to end the war with Russia.
In a day of fast moving developments, Kyiv said it supported the “essence” of the Geneva plan while stressing there were still some sensitive issues still needing to be fixed.
Our reporter James C. Reynolds has the latest...
Ukraine and US edge towards peace deal as Trump says ‘We’re getting very close’
Europe-US taskforce planned to 'solidify' security guarantees, French officials say
Tuesday 25 November 2025 18:56 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined a "coalition of the willing" video call on post-war security guarantees for Ukraine on Tuesday - the first time a senior US official has taken part in the meeting, French presidency officials said.
In the gathering, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the leaders decided to set up a task force between the United States and the coalition countries to "solidify" these security guarantees, the French officials told reporters.
Analysis: Ukraine has shown the US a viable peace deal - but can Trump shake off Putin’s influence?
Tuesday 25 November 2025 18:36 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ukraine has shown US a viable peace deal - but can Trump shake off Putin’s influence?
'Solid and encouraging' progress made towards peace deal, Von der Leyen says
Tuesday 25 November 2025 18:16 , Nicole Wootton-Cane“Solid and encouraging” progress has been made towards a peace deal in Ukraine, president of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen has said.
She said talks would continue over financing for Ukraine, including the use of frozen Russian assets.
In a post on X, she wrote: “Today, the partners of the Coalition of the Willing convened to discuss ongoing negotiations toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
“In recent days and hours, we have seen solid and encouraging progress. We welcomed the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during our call. We need strong transatlantic cooperation.”
Ms Von der Leyen added the EU would continue to “increase” pressure on Russia until Moscow showed a “genuine willingness to engage on a credible path toward peace.”
Today, the partners of the Coalition of the Willing convened to discuss ongoing negotiations toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 25, 2025
In recent days and hours, we have seen solid and encouraging progress.
We welcomed the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during…
Macron says France will discuss financial support for Ukraine
Tuesday 25 November 2025 18:05 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFrench President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France will finalise with other European Union countries a solution for providing financial support to Ukraine as he referred to frozen Russian assets.
Macron, who was speaking after a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, said Ukraine needed a peace that was "serious" and "respectful of international law".
It comes after Ukrainian officials said Russia's frozen assets should not be used as a bargaining chip in peace talks.
'I think we're making progress' Trump tells reporters
Tuesday 25 November 2025 17:50 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS President Donald Trump has told reporters he believes negotiations on peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are “making progress”.
Speaking at a turkey pardoning at the White House on Tuesday, he said: “I think we’re getting very close to a deal we’ll find out...I think we’re making progress.”
Watch: Zelensky confirms Trump talks and claims Ukraine will not be an obstacle to peace
Tuesday 25 November 2025 17:45 , Maira ButtKyiv 'ready to move forward' with peace plan, Zelensky says
Tuesday 25 November 2025 17:26 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZelensky has indicated Ukraine is ready to move forward with a US-backed peace deal, according to documents seen by the news agency Reuters.
In a speech to the so-called coalition of the willing, Zelensky urged European leaders to hash out a framework for deploying a "reassurance force" to Ukraine and to continue supporting Kyiv for as long as Moscow shows no willingness to end its war.
Seven people killed in overnight strikes in Ukraine, Kyiv says
Tuesday 25 November 2025 17:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSeven people were killed and 21 injured by overnight Russian strikes in Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s state emergency service.
“In Kyiv, emergency rescue operations have been completed following the Russian shelling: 7 people were killed, and another 21 people were injured, including 1 child.,” it said in a post on X.
“Emergency responders saved 18 people, including 3 children. Psychologists from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine provided assistance to 64 people.”
У Києві завершили аварійно-рятувальні роботи після російського обстрілу: загинули 7 осіб, ще 21 людина постраждала, в тому числі 1 дитина.
— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) November 25, 2025
Надзвичайники врятували 18 людей, серед яких 3 дітей. Психологи ДСНС надали допомогу 64 людям. pic.twitter.com/BrCME4Ri5C
Revised peace plan could see Ukraine's army capped at 800,000, reports say
Tuesday 25 November 2025 16:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe revised US peace plan could reportedly see Ukraine’s army capped at 800,000 soldiers.
First reported by the Financial Times, who cite unnamed Ukrainian officials, the plan would see Ukraine remain the second-largest force in Europe after Russia.
It comes after the original peace plan proposed by the US capped Ukrainian soldiers at 600,000 - something Zelensky refused to agree to.
Ukraine has not publicly confirmed agreeing to restricting its military size, and no agreement has been reached at this time.
'Tough road' remains to peace deal, Downing Street says
Tuesday 25 November 2025 16:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine has not yet fully agreed to a peace proposal from the US, Downing Street suggested, amid suggestions from the Americans that Kyiv had done so.
The Prime Minister's official spokesperson told reporters: "I've seen those reports, but our position hasn't changed.
"We welcome the progress made, but there are still several points to work through.
"We are all resolute in our focus on securing Ukraine a just and lasting peace."
He also pointed to Sir Keir Starmer's statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday, in which he said there is still a "tough road ahead" to reach peace.
Sir Keir Starmer said talks on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine were “moving in a positive direction” as he spoke to leaders of the “coalition of the willing”.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said: “I do think we are moving in a positive direction and indications today that in large part the majority of the text, Volodymyr is indicating, can be accepted.”
Ukraine loses land, no Nato and Russia back in the G8: What is in Trump’s 28-point plan to end the war?
Tuesday 25 November 2025 16:10 , Maira ButtA Trump administration proposal to end the war in Ukraine would force Kyiv into giving up land while compensating the United States for upholding the peace.
The 28-point plan, drawn up following talks between Washington and Moscow, offers a guarantee of US protection for Ukraine.
In return for Kyiv must give up on its Nato ambitions and European allies agree to not station troops in Ukraine, rebuffing British-led plans to deploy international peacekeepers.
Russia back in G8, no Nato for Ukraine: What is in Trump’s 28-point plan to end war?
How much of Ukraine does Russia currently occupy as negotiations intensify
Tuesday 25 November 2025 15:37 , Maira ButtAmong the key sticking points between Russia and Ukraine are the territorial rights each country believes it has.
Russia seeks to claim territory according to a predetermined assessment of their rights, while Ukraine hopes to freeze Russia’s expansion at the current frontlines.
White House says 'further talks' needed as 'delicate' differences remain
Tuesday 25 November 2025 15:08 , Maira ButtThe White House has provided an update on peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, amid reports that Ukraine has accepted the “essence” of a proposed peace deal.
Delicate but not insurmountable details remain that “must be sorted out”, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. These differences will require “further talks” between Ukraine, Russia and the US.
“Over the past week, the United States has made tremendous progress towards a peace deal by bringing both Ukraine and Russia to the table,” Leavitt wrote in a statement on X/Twitter.
“There are a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details that must be sorted out and will require further talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US.”
Zelensky and German chancellor discuss Geneva talks in phone call, says spokesperson
Tuesday 25 November 2025 14:58 , Maira ButtGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the status of negotiations over a US-backed peace deal following talks in Geneva over the weekend, a German government spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The 28-point plan was criticised for being pro-Russian, prompting a counter-proposal from Europe.
This is Europe’s counter-proposal for peace in Ukraine – with several key changes to Trump’s plan
Tuesday 25 November 2025 14:45 , Maira ButtDonald Trump’s latest plan to end the war in Ukraine came as a shock to Kyiv’s international backers after 10 months of trying to negotiate careful compromise.
The 28-point plan seems to cater to Russia’s hardline positions, offering Ukraine very few of the security guarantees it says it needs to ensure a lasting peace.
Britain, France and Germany were left out of the conversations that produced the US proposal for peace but within hours, the E3 nations had pulled together a counteroffer.
This is Europe’s counter-proposal for peace in Ukraine – with changes to Trump’s plan
US appears to have agreed to Geneva plan, Ukrainian official tell Sam Kiley
Tuesday 25 November 2025 14:34 , Sam KileyA Ukrainian official deeply involved with ceasefire negotiations said that the United States appears to have agreed to a document set out by Europe’s allies in Geneva over the weekend – not a US plan.
The official in president Volodymyr Zekensky’s office said that if the deal was “the framework from Geneva, we’re okay. It’s not a bad framework to work further”.
US media organisations said they had been briefed by US officials after a meeting in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine’s head of military intelligence major general Kyrylo Budanov and Dan Driscoll, US army secretary.
“Following the meetings In Geneva, we see many prospects that can make the path to peace real. There are solid results, and much work still lies ahead,” Zelensky wrote on X.
The Geneva plan gives a written “article 5”-style US guarantee of Ukraine sovereignty.
If the White House has accepted this it would be a significant U-Turn by Donald Trump who has consistently ruled out offering American forces to guarantee Ukraine’s future security. It gives Nato protection to Ukraine without it actually joining the alliance.
The Geneva plan would freeze Russian control of captured Ukrainian territory along the current front lines, restricts Ukraine’s peacetime forces to 800,000, forbids Nato troops from being stationed there in peacetime and demands both sides sign a non-aggression pact.
It also allows for progressive sanctions to be lifted for Russia and for Moscow to rejoin the G8 economic group of nations.
Zelensky has said that some of the sensitive parts of this plan would need to be left for discussion with president Trump.
But Russia has already outright rejected the scheme. If an agreement has been made between Kyiv and Washington this would be the first time this year that the Trump administration has fallen in with the demands that Ukraine and its European allies say are the bare minimum for their future security.
UK still committed to multinational force in Ukraine after ceasefire
Tuesday 25 November 2025 14:31 , Alex CroftBritain is still making plans for a multinational force in Ukraine after a ceasefire is agreed, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
In a call on Tuesday, Starmer and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky discussed "the importance of the continued work by coalition partners in preparation for the deployment of the multinational force following the cessation of hostilities", Starmer's spokesperson said.
Asked if UK was still willing to put boots on the ground in Ukraine after any end to the fighting in Ukraine, the spokesperson said: "That commitment remains."
Russia has rejected any potential foreign military deployment in Ukraine, calling it "unacceptable".
Daughter of ex-South African leader accused of luring men to fight for Russia
Tuesday 25 November 2025 14:16 , Alex CroftSouth African police have launched an investigation into serious allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of Jacob Zuma, enticed 17 men into fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine under false pretences.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the probe, which stems from an affidavit submitted by Zuma-Sambudla's sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube.
The document claims Ms Zuma-Sambudla, alongside two unnamed individuals, misled the men by promising them security training in Russia, only for them to become embroiled in the conflict without their consent. The identities of the two other alleged accomplices remain undisclosed.
Read the full report:
Daughter of ex-South African leader accused of luring men to fight for Russia
Ukraine supports 'essence' of peace deal, 'sensitive issues' yet to be agreed upon
Tuesday 25 November 2025 13:59 , Maira ButtUkraine supports the “essence” of a peace deal framework following Geneva talks, a Ukrainian official told Reuters on Tuesday.
The most sensitive issues are yet to be discussed between Trump and Zelensky, according to the source.
