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Hopes of reaching a breakthrough in the war with Russia this week were quashed on Monday after a European proposal discussed by the United States and Ukraine was described by Moscow as “fully unconstructive”.
Washington and Kyiv said in a joint statement they had drafted a “refined peace framework” after talks in Geneva on Sunday. Although there were no specifics, the dialog received a cautious welcome from some of Ukraine’s allies.
However, the Kremlin said that the European counterproposal to a 28-point US peace plan for Ukraine was not helpful.
“The European plan, at first glance … is completely unconstructive and does not work for us,” Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Moscow.
But Ukraine’s delegation to the talks with US officials in Switzerland was returning home on Monday to report back, president Volodymyr Zelensky said. US president donald Trump hinted at new progress.
!US secretary of state Marco Rubio speaks to journalists in Geneva on Sunday
Zelensky Urges Use of Frozen russian Assets as Trump Proposes Controversial Peace Plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of utilizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction, stating a decision on this matter is “crucial” as international discussions surrounding the ongoing conflict intensify. This call to action comes amidst reports of a 28-point peace proposal put forth by the Trump governance that has drawn significant criticism for allegedly favoring Russia.
“Right now, we are at a critical moment,” Zelenskyy said, acknowledging the “noise in the media” and “political pressure” surrounding upcoming decisions regarding the war.
The proposed US plan, reportedly developed following talks between Washington and Moscow, suggests a guarantee of US protection for Ukraine in exchange for significant concessions from Kyiv. These concessions include abandoning its aspirations to join NATO, and an agreement from European allies to refrain from stationing troops within Ukraine – effectively halting initiatives like the British-led proposal for international peacekeepers.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/trump-ukraine-peace-plan-zelensky-b12644999.html
The plan has faced widespread condemnation, with critics arguing it would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian aggression. Sir Alex Younger, a former head of MI6, described the proposal as “lopsided” and warned it would effectively turn Ukraine into a “tethered goat,” almost guaranteeing another invasion by vladimir Putin.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/trump-ukraine-peace-plan-zelensky-b12644999.html
The discussion surrounding the use of frozen Russian assets has gained momentum as a potential funding source for Ukraine. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, numerous countries froze hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian central bank assets. The legal and logistical challenges of repurposing these funds are significant, but the European Union and the United States are actively exploring mechanisms to do so. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-eyes-using-frozen-russian-assets-ukraine-aid-2024-02-01/
Zelenskyy’s remarks underscore the urgency of these deliberations as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian forces and seeks long-term security guarantees. the outcome of these discussions will likely have a profound impact on the future of Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Date: November 24, 2025 (as per original document)
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