Today's News: Progress on U.S.-Ukraine Peace Framework After Criticism of Pro-Russian Plan
Despite the positive diplomatic reports, President Donald Trump publicly criticized Ukrainian leadership for a lack of gratitude.
Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/Agence France-Presse
Overview
Date: November 23, 2025
Summary: Ukrainian and American officials reported significant progress in Geneva talks regarding a U.S.-backed 28-point peace plan to end the war with Russia. The initial proposal, which included contentious concessions to Russia, was reportedly updated and refined after extensive discussions. Despite the positive diplomatic reports, President Donald Trump publicly criticized Ukrainian leadership for a lack of gratitude. European allies, largely excluded from the initial drafting, voiced strong concerns about the plan’s implications for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, with some drafting counter-proposals. While a Thanksgiving deadline was initially set for Ukraine to accept the plan, U.S. officials indicated flexibility as negotiations continue.
Sources
The New York Times - Ukraine and U.S. Cite Progress in Talks on Ending War With Russia
CNN - US touts ‘productive’ talks with Ukraine after Trump slams Ukrainian leadership
NBC News - Trump says Ukraine has expressed ‘zero gratitude’ for U.S. help amid peace plan talks
The Washington Post - U.S., Ukraine agree to change draft of peace plan that appeased Russia
The Wall Street Journal - White House Hails Progress in Talks With Ukraine to End War With Russia
El País - The US and Ukraine are nearing an agreement on the peace plan
Key Points
Progress in Geneva Talks: All articles confirm that U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva and reported significant progress in discussions to refine a U.S.-proposed 28-point peace plan. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials expressed optimism, citing an “updated and refined peace framework.”
Trump’s Criticism of Ukraine: President Trump’s social media posts accusing Ukraine of “zero gratitude” for U.S. efforts and blaming Europe for buying Russian oil are highlighted across all sources, occurring concurrently with the positive diplomatic talks.
Controversial U.S. Peace Proposal: The initial 28-point U.S. plan is consistently described as controversial, drawing criticism for provisions seen as concessions to Russia, such as territorial cessions, limitations on Ukraine’s military, and restrictions on NATO membership.
European Concerns and Counter-Proposals: European allies are consistently portrayed as concerned about the U.S. plan, with several articles detailing their efforts to draft or propose alternative frameworks to better protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and security interests.
Authorship Confusion: A recurring theme is the confusion and conflicting statements regarding the true authorship of the initial U.S. peace plan, with some initially attributing it to Russia or a joint U.S.-Russian effort, before U.S. officials insisted it was U.S.-authored with input from both sides.
Flexible Thanksgiving Deadline: The U.S.-imposed Thanksgiving deadline for Ukraine to accept the plan is mentioned, but sources also indicate that the timeline is fluid and open to extension as negotiations continue.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times states that Mr. Rubio left Geneva to return to Washington after the talks and mentions President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey’s plan to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday about peace efforts. It also notes President Emmanuel Macron of France’s suggestion of a meeting involving leaders of Britain, Canada, and several other nations on Tuesday.
CNN specifies that Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was a member of the U.S. delegation. It reports that the European counter-proposal removed references to territorial concessions and the U.S. deal’s recognition of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk as de facto Russian territory, and demanded a ceasefire first, setting the current front line as the basis for future territorial discussions.
NBC News quotes specific U.S. Senators (Lindsey Graham, Roger Wicker, Mike Rounds) expressing concerns about the plan benefiting Russia or questioning its authorship. It also quotes Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, stating the 28 points are a starting point and a “wish list,” not a final document.
The Washington Post quotes Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) criticizing the “gross buffoonery” of the situation and quotes Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia) comparing the plan to “Neville Chamberlain’s giving in to Hitler.” It also includes an anonymous U.S. official’s comment describing the situation as “absolute chaos all day because even different parts of the White House don’t know what’s going on.”
The Wall Street Journal specifies that a provision in the initial U.S. plan precluded the deployment of a European-led “reassurance force” in Ukraine. It details the three principles European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set out for a deal, including the EU’s role and interests. It also reports the European draft setting the cap for the Ukrainian military at 800,000 personnel versus 600,000 in the U.S. document.
Fox News details Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll’s prior engagement, being “on the ground in Kyiv, meeting with relevant stakeholders across the Ukrainian political spectrum.” It also includes Rubio’s comment that some unresolved issues involve “equities or the role of the EU or of NATO or so forth,” which they segregated for discussion with European national security advisors.
The Guardian states that the original 28-point U.S. document demanded Ukraine agree not to pursue the Kremlin for alleged war crimes. It reports that the European alternative does not call for Kyiv to withdraw from cities it controls in eastern Donbas and proposes Russia give the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station to the International Atomic Energy Agency, splitting power 50-50. It also notes a major drone attack by Russian forces on Kharkiv, killing four people, occurring on Sunday.
El País notes that the White House, in a separate statement, asserted the revised plan included strengthened security safeguards and that the Ukrainian delegation considered the framework to “reflect its national interests,” a point not made in the joint statement. It also details the European demand for €180 billion of Russian sovereign assets (primarily in Belgium) to be given to Kyiv for compensation and reconstruction, contrasting with the U.S. plan’s allocation of €100 billion with the U.S. receiving 50% of profits.
Contrasting Details
Authorship of the U.S. Peace Plan:
The New York Times, CNN, NBC News, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, The Guardian, and El País report that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the State Department are maintaining the plan was “authored by the U.S.,” with input from both Russia and Ukraine.
The Washington Post, NBC News, The Guardian, and El País report several U.S. Senators (Mike Rounds, Angus King) stating Rubio told them the document was not the administration’s plan but a “wish list of the Russians” or a “Russian document deliberately leaked by Moscow.” The Washington Post also mentioned the White House previously stated the plan was drafted by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin confidant Kirill Dmitriev. The Guardian and El País also noted speculation that the plan might have been written in Russian.
Rubio’s Awareness of European Counter-Proposals:
The Wall Street Journal quotes Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating, “I haven’t seen any counterplans” when asked about European proposals.
In contrast, The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and El País extensively detail the existence, specific contents, and widespread discussion of European counter-proposals, indicating their significant presence in the diplomatic discourse surrounding the Geneva talks.
Trump’s Stance on the Deadline:
The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, Fox News, and El País report President Trump’s initial Thursday deadline but also quote him saying it’s “not my final offer” or suggesting flexibility, with Rubio also indicating the timeline is fluid.
NBC News, while noting the deadline, quotes Trump with a more confrontational tone, stating that if President Zelenskyy didn’t accept the proposal, “then he can continue to fight his little heart out.”
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