President Donald Trump said the US 28-point proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war is not his “final offer” for Kyiv, after allied concerns that parts of the draft favour Moscow. He gave Ukraine until 27 November to accept the plan but told reporters at the White House: “No, not my final offer. One way or another we have to get it [the war] ended, so we’re working on it.”
European, Canadian and Japanese leaders at the G20 in Johannesburg described the draft as containing “essential” elements for a just and lasting peace but said it “will require additional work.” Their joint statement, signed by leaders from Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany, Norway and two senior EU officials, said signatories were “ready to engage” to ensure any peace is sustainable. It stressed that borders must not be changed by force and expressed concern about proposed caps on Ukraine’s armed forces that could leave the country vulnerable to future attack. The statement also said that elements affecting the EU or NATO would need the consent of their members.
A meeting of security officials from Britain, France, Germany, the US and Ukraine was due in Geneva on Sunday to work on the draft. Among those scheduled to attend were US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, while National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell represented the UK. The UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, who met both President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr Trump at the summit, said teams would cooperate on the US proposal in Geneva. Sir Keir voiced particular concern about proposed limits on Ukraine’s military, saying it is fundamental that Ukraine must be able to defend itself if a ceasefire is agreed.
The widely leaked US plan calls for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from areas of eastern Donetsk they currently hold, effectively accepting de facto Russian control of Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk, and confirming Russian control of Crimea, annexed in 2014. It would freeze borders in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along current front lines; both are partially occupied by Russian forces.
Other provisions in the draft include a cap on Ukraine’s military at 600,000 personnel, the stationing of European fighter jets in neighbouring Poland, and vague promises of “reliable security guarantees” for Kyiv without detailed mechanisms. The plan expects Russia not to invade neighbours and seeks to bar further NATO expansion. It also suggests reintegrating Russia into the global economy by lifting sanctions and inviting Moscow back to a G7, restoring a G8.
President Zelensky warned Ukraine faced “one of the most difficult moments in our history” under US pressure to accept a plan seen as favourable to Moscow, saying the country might confront a stark choice between “losing dignity, or risk losing a key partner.” He said he would work constructively with the Americans and named his head of office, Andriy Yermak, to lead Ukraine’s negotiating team for any future talks, including with Russia. “Our representatives know how to defend Ukraine’s national interests and exactly what must be done to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion,” Mr Zelensky said.
Kyiv remains heavily dependent on US-supplied advanced weapons, air-defence systems and intelligence support to repel Russian air attacks. President Vladimir Putin confirmed Moscow had received the US plan and said it could serve as a “basis” for settlement; he added Russia would “show flexibility” but was prepared to continue fighting if needed. Putin launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, and Russian forces have recently made slow advances in the south-east amid heavy combat and reported casualties.