U.S. and Ukrainian officials are in discussions regarding a potential visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the United States this week. This initiative is part of President Donald Trump‘s efforts to secure an agreement on Ukraine by Thanksgiving. Multiple officials from both nations who are familiar with the discussions confirmed this information. The feasibility of Zelenskyy’s visit will largely depend on the outcomes of ongoing peace negotiations in Geneva, set to take place on Sunday.
In comments made on Saturday, Trump described the Thanksgiving deadline as flexible, emphasizing that the current proposal is “not my final” offer. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, spoke from Geneva about the progress made in discussions with European and Ukrainian officials, characterizing the meetings as among the most productive since the administration took office in January.
“I think this was a very, very meaningful – I would say probably best – meeting and day we’ve had so far in this entire process,” Rubio stated. He acknowledged that further work remains, promising updates following additional meetings. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We have very good progress and we are moving forward to the just and lasting peace.”
At this stage, no concrete plans for Zelenskyy’s visit have been established, as active diplomacy continues. Additionally, there are currently no scheduled talks with Russian officials, according to a senior White House official. Another potential outcome of the negotiations in Geneva could involve Army Secretary Dan Driscoll traveling to Russia or meeting with Russian officials, although Russian media has indicated that no such meetings are planned at this time.
The discussions come after Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna, addressed the nation on CBS’s “Face the Nation” regarding a recently leaked 28-point peace plan. She clarified that Ukraine has not agreed to all terms within the draft, stating, “This plan is not about justice and the truth of this war and the aggression.” Stefanishyna criticized the plan as focused merely on ending the conflict rather than addressing the underlying issues.
Stefanishyna noted that Russia has not made any concessions to date, asserting that none of the points in the leaked plan pressure Russia into compliance. She also mentioned the existence of an additional document related to security guarantees, which she referred to as “the framework of security assurances.” This document outlines the U.S. intention to provide support similar to Article 5 of the Washington NATO Treaty, although it lacks the detailed guarantees and Congressional backing that a formal treaty would entail.
A U.S. official indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes he can secure the Donetsk region of Ukraine either through negotiations or military action. The Trump administration’s approach in Geneva is based on the assumption that Putin’s belief holds some truth. While no definitive assessment was provided regarding Ukraine’s position in the conflict, the official noted troubling signs, particularly regarding Russian advances in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, which is considered a strategic logistics hub.
There have been parallel diplomatic efforts within the Trump administration, with Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff working on a “term sheet” aimed at concluding the war. Although the administration imposed sanctions on Russian oil and gas to prompt negotiations, it has been reported that Dmitriev has been involved in discussions in Miami, leading to concerns regarding the origins of the peace proposal now under consideration.
As Zelenskyy navigates a domestic political scandal, the leaked term sheet has become a point of contention. Several U.S. senators, including Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator Mike Rounds, have expressed concerns regarding the proposal’s implications for Ukraine. King stated, “There are many problems with the plan as it has been reported, but the two most obvious are that it rewards Russia’s illegal and unprovoked aggression by handing over substantial portions of Ukraine’s sovereign territory.”
The Trump administration has been actively reaching out to address the concerns of pro-Ukraine lawmakers, ensuring that the proposal is viewed as a U.S. initiative rather than one influenced by Russia.
The involvement of the Army in diplomacy has raised questions, particularly as Driscoll was initially slated to discuss drone technology with Ukrainian officials before being directed to engage in ceasefire talks. The evolving nature of the discussions reflects the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the various stakeholders involved.
As negotiations continue, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty while addressing the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict.
