US President Donald Trump said the US plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war was not a “final offer” to Kiev after Ukraine’s allies expressed concerns about the offer.
Earlier Saturday, leaders from Europe, Canada and Japan said the plan contains “essential elements for a just and lasting peace” but that “further work will be needed,” citing concerns about border changes and limiting the number of troops in the Ukrainian military.
On Sunday, security officials from Britain, France, Germany, the United States and Ukraine will meet in Geneva, Switzerland.
President Volodymyr Zelensky previously warned that Ukraine faced “one of the most difficult moments in our history” due to pressure from the United States to accept a plan seen as advantageous to Moscow.
President Trump gave Ukraine until November 27 to accept 28 complaints, which Russian President Vladimir Putin said could become the “basis” for an agreement.
“No, it’s not my final proposal,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday when asked if the current draft plan was his final proposal for Ukraine.
“We are trying because we have to end the war one way or another,” he added.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are scheduled to attend talks in Geneva on Sunday. National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell will attend on behalf of the United Kingdom.
Saturday’s joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain, Germany and Norway. Among the signatories were two senior EU officials.
“We therefore believe that the draft is a foundation for further work, and we stand ready to engage to ensure that future peace is sustainable,” the statement said. “We have clearly stated the principle that borders should not be altered by force.
“We are also concerned about proposed restrictions on the Ukrainian military that could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.”
“Implementation of elements related to the EU and NATO will require the consent of EU and NATO member states respectively,” he added.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who attended the G20 summit held in Johannesburg, spoke by phone with Prime Minister Zelenskyy on the 1st and then with President Trump.
On Trump’s call, a Downing Street spokesman said Sir Keir “conveyed the discussions taking place among the Coalition of Willing Partners (Ukraine’s allies) attending the G20 summit today.”
They added: “The leaders agreed that their team would work together on America’s 28 peace proposals in Geneva tomorrow. They agreed to speak again tomorrow.”
Sir Keir has previously said he was concerned about proposed caps on Ukraine’s military in the US plan, saying: “If there is a ceasefire, the fundamental thing is that Ukraine must be able to defend itself.”
The widely leaked U.S. peace plan calls for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region they currently control, the de facto Russian-controlled areas of Donetsk, as well as the nearby Luhansk region and southern Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
The plan also includes freezing the borders of southern Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhia regions along the current front lines. Both regions are partially occupied by Russia.
The U.S. draft would also limit Ukraine’s military to 600,000 troops and force European fighter jets to be stationed in neighboring Poland.
Although specific details were not disclosed, the plan said Kiev would receive “reliable security guarantees.” The document says Russia will not invade its neighbors and NATO is “expected” to expand further.
The plan also suggests that Russia would be “reintegrated into the global economy” by lifting sanctions and forcing Russia to rejoin the G7 group of the world’s most powerful countries, making it back into the G8.
On Friday, Trump said Zelenskyy “must like” the U.S. offer, adding that otherwise Ukraine and Russia would continue fighting.
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian leader addressed the nation with a stark warning that the country “could face very difficult choices that risk losing its dignity or losing a key partner.”
“Today is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” Zelensky said, adding that he pledged to work “constructively” with the United States on the plan.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Zelenskyy announced that Secretary-General Andriy Yermak would lead Ukraine’s negotiating team for future talks on any peace agreement involving Russia.
“Our representatives know exactly how to defend Ukraine’s national interests and what must be done to prevent a third invasion, another attack by Russia against Ukraine,” the president said in a video statement posted on social media.
Kiev relies heavily on deliveries of advanced U.S.-made weapons, including air defense systems to repel deadly Russian airstrikes and intelligence provided by Washington.
Putin confirmed Friday that Moscow had accepted the U.S. plan but said no detailed discussions had been held with the Kremlin.
He added that Moscow is willing to “show flexibility” but is also ready to continue fighting.
President Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In recent months, Russian forces have been slowly advancing into southeastern Ukraine despite reported heavy combat casualties.
