President Donald Trump said a US 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war is not his “final offer” for Kyiv, after allied concerns were raised about elements seen as favourable to Moscow.
Earlier, leaders from Europe, Canada and Japan described the draft as containing “essential” elements for a just and lasting peace but said it “will require additional work”, citing worries about proposed border changes and limits on Ukraine’s armed forces. A meeting of security officials from Britain, France, Germany, the US and Ukraine is due in Geneva on Sunday.
Trump has given Ukraine until 27 November to accept the plan; Russian President Vladimir Putin said it could serve as a “basis” for settlement. Asked whether the current draft was his final offer, Trump 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.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff are among those attending the Geneva talks, with National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell representing the UK. Saturday’s joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa was signed by leaders from Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway, plus two top EU officials.
The G20 statement said the draft “is a basis which will require additional work” and that signatories were “ready to engage” to ensure any peace is sustainable. It stressed the principle that borders must not be changed by force and voiced concern about proposed limits on Ukraine’s armed forces, which could leave the country vulnerable to future attack. The statement also noted that elements affecting the European Union or NATO would need the consent of EU and NATO members, respectively.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, attending the summit in Johannesburg, spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky and later with Trump. A Downing Street spokesman said Sir Keir relayed discussions among Coalition of the Willing partners at the G20 and that teams would work together on the US proposal in Geneva.
Sir Keir said he was concerned about proposed caps 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 proposes Ukrainian troops withdraw from the parts of eastern Donetsk they currently hold, accepts de facto Russian control of Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk, and confirms Russian control of the Crimea peninsula annexed in 2014. It would freeze borders in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along current battle lines; both regions are partially occupied by Russian forces.
The draft also proposes limiting Ukraine’s military to 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets to be stationed in neighbouring Poland. It promises Ukraine “reliable security guarantees” without giving detailed specifics, and states expectations that Russia will not invade neighbours and that NATO will not expand further. The plan suggests reintegrating Russia into the global economy through lifting sanctions and inviting Moscow to rejoin the G7, effectively restoring a G8.
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. He told the nation the country might face a stark choice between “losing dignity, or risk losing a key partner.” He pledged to work constructively with the Americans on the plan and named his head of office, Andriy Yermak, to lead Ukraine’s negotiating team for future peace talks, including any involving 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,” Zelensky said.
Kyiv remains heavily dependent on US-supplied advanced weaponry, including air-defence systems and intelligence support, to repel Russian air assaults. Putin confirmed Moscow had received the US plan but said it had not been discussed with the Kremlin in detail. He said Russia was willing to “show flexibility” but was also prepared to continue fighting. Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Russian forces have recently advanced slowly in the south-east despite heavy combat and reported casualties.
