Hours after US President Donald Trump criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader moved quickly to acknowledge the US on Sunday. Trump had earlier accused Kyiv on Truth Social of showing “ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS” over his plan to end the nearly four-year conflict with Russia, which incorporated some of Moscow’s demands.
A few hours later, Zelensky took to X and responded, saying, “Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump for the assistance that - starting with the Javelins - has been saving Ukrainian lives.”
New peace framework unveiled during Geneva talks
US and Ukrainian officials on Sunday outlined a new 28-point draft peace plan aimed at ending the conflict with Russia while 'fully' safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty. The framework comes after intensive discussions in Geneva on the US-proposed plan, which both sides described as constructive, focused, and respectful.
“The current version of the document, although still in the final stages of approval, already reflects most of Ukraine’s key priorities,” said Rustem Umerov, negotiator and secretary of Ukraine’s security council.
The initial US blueprint had included some of Moscow’s hardline demands, requiring Ukraine to cede territory, reduce its army, and pledge never to join Nato. It also offered vague security guarantees and proposed the use of frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine.
Trump has set a deadline of November 27, coinciding with US Thanksgiving, for Ukraine to approve the plan, while signalling potential flexibility. Since the start of his second term, Trump’s stance on the Ukraine war has fluctuated dramatically, from promising to end the war in “24 hours” to admiring Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticising Zelensky, then imposing major sanctions on Moscow while hinting at Ukraine reclaiming its territory.