Ukraine has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on a peace proposal developed by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. A U.S. official disclosed to ABC News on Tuesday that a Ukrainian delegation achieved an understanding with U.S. representatives during discussions held in Geneva. This development may pave the way for ending a conflict that has persisted for nearly four years, marking the most lethal confrontation in Europe since the Second World War.
The breakthrough follows clandestine negotiations that took place on Monday in Abu Dhabi between U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Russian officials. According to the same official, Ukraine has agreed to the terms of the potential deal, with only “minor details” remaining to be finalized. “There are some minor details to be sorted out but they have agreed to a peace deal,” the official stated.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Tolbert, a spokesman for the U.S. Army, confirmed that Driscoll and his delegation were engaged in ongoing discussions with Russian representatives on both Monday and Tuesday. He characterized the negotiations as progressing positively. Notably, ABC News indicated that neither Ukraine nor Russia has publicly acknowledged that they sent negotiators to Abu Dhabi.
While the U.S. has confirmed the presence of key figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff at the discussions, the lack of public acknowledgment from Ukraine and Russia adds an element of uncertainty to the proceedings.
The peace plan, originally consisting of 28 points, has been revised to include 19 key proposals. Significant changes have been made, including the removal of provisions related to wartime amnesty and restrictions on the size of Ukraine’s military, which Russia had sought to limit to 600,000 troops.
Reports from CNN suggest that there is a risk of Russia withdrawing from the negotiations if the terms diverge significantly from those discussed during a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and President Trump in August 2023 in Alaska.
As this situation evolves, the focus remains on the potential for a resolution to the conflict that has caused widespread devastation and loss of life. The international community continues to observe developments closely, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving long-standing tensions in the region.
