UK’s Starmer and US President Trump Align as Geneva Talks Probe Ukraine Peace Plan
Leaders agree to coordinate as Geneva negotiations begin on the US-backed 28-point proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine war
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation on Sunday to align their governments’ approach to the ongoing Geneva talks over Washington’s peace framework for Ukraine.
According to a statement from the United Kingdom’s prime minister’s office, both leaders emphasised the necessity of working together “at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace” and committed to remaining in close contact.
The call took place against the backdrop of senior US and Ukrainian delegations convening in Geneva to discuss a draft 28-point plan proposed by the United States.
The plan envisions terms for ending the more than three-and-a-half-year war and has sparked concern among Kyiv and several European capitals over its provisions on Ukrainian military capability and territorial concessions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the negotiating team.
In Geneva, the United Kingdom, France and Germany jointly submitted a revised version of the plan, emphasising that Ukraine must retain greater defensive capacity and that territorial outcomes must reflect current front-line realities rather than predetermined concessions.
While progress has been reported, significant questions remain over the roles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership, security guarantees and the extent of Russian demands.
President Trump has urged Ukraine to respond to the proposal by Thursday, describing the document as not his “final offer” and signalling a willingness to renegotiate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that Kyiv faces a stark choice between preserving its sovereignty and jeopardising the alliance that has supported it.
Observers say the British-American coordination adds diplomatic weight to the Geneva process, yet the divergent views between Washington, Kyiv and its European partners underscore the fragility of the emerging framework.
The coming days will be critical in determining whether the draft evolves into a workable peace architecture or becomes a source of friction among allies.
According to a statement from the United Kingdom’s prime minister’s office, both leaders emphasised the necessity of working together “at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace” and committed to remaining in close contact.
The call took place against the backdrop of senior US and Ukrainian delegations convening in Geneva to discuss a draft 28-point plan proposed by the United States.
The plan envisions terms for ending the more than three-and-a-half-year war and has sparked concern among Kyiv and several European capitals over its provisions on Ukrainian military capability and territorial concessions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the negotiating team.
In Geneva, the United Kingdom, France and Germany jointly submitted a revised version of the plan, emphasising that Ukraine must retain greater defensive capacity and that territorial outcomes must reflect current front-line realities rather than predetermined concessions.
While progress has been reported, significant questions remain over the roles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership, security guarantees and the extent of Russian demands.
President Trump has urged Ukraine to respond to the proposal by Thursday, describing the document as not his “final offer” and signalling a willingness to renegotiate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that Kyiv faces a stark choice between preserving its sovereignty and jeopardising the alliance that has supported it.
Observers say the British-American coordination adds diplomatic weight to the Geneva process, yet the divergent views between Washington, Kyiv and its European partners underscore the fragility of the emerging framework.
The coming days will be critical in determining whether the draft evolves into a workable peace architecture or becomes a source of friction among allies.
