Washington and kyiv announced on Sunday in Geneva an “updated and refined framework” to end the war in Ukraine, after strong criticism which had targeted the first version of the American plan deemed too conciliatory towards Moscow.
A contested initial plan
The update comes after the controversy sparked by the first American 28-point plan, presented as the basis of a peace agreement but denounced by several European capitals and by kyiv itself for its supposed concessions to Moscow. In Geneva, diplomatic teams worked to revise several sensitive aspects, without revealing the details for the moment.
The discussions were described as “highly productive” by both delegations, who spoke of “significant progress” in the alignment of positions.
Sovereignty and territorial integrity as red lines
For the first time, kyiv affirms that the revised framework explicitly guarantees respect for its borders and sovereignty, while the question of the occupied territories remains one of the main points of friction with Moscow.
American Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the “tremendous” progress, without specifying whether compromises had been reached on Russian demands, particularly territorial ones.
According to the press release, discussions will continue “in order to ensure a lasting, just and stable peace” and to establish a post-conflict security system.
Productive discussions but few details
Despite the optimism displayed, the document remains extremely vague on concrete aspects, such as the role of NATO, the future of Crimea, the timetable for a ceasefire or the question of sanctions.
Washington and kyiv, however, promise to deepen consultations in the coming weeks, in coordination with European partners, several of whom had requested additional guarantees.
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