Donald Trump says Ukraine peace plan not final offer as talks set for Geneva

Donald Trump (left) presses for Ukraine to accept his plan as Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushes alternatives in tense talks. Photo / Jim Watson and Tetiana Dzhafarova, AFP

US President Donald Trump said today that his plan to end the war in Ukraine was not his final offer, and that “one way or the other”, he hoped the fighting would stop.

When asked by reporters if his 28-point proposal – which would see Ukraine cede territory, cut its army and pledge to never join Nato – was his “final offer to Ukraine”, Trump replied: “No.”

“We’re trying to get it ended. One way or the other, we have to get it ended,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reacted coolly to the plan, saying he would propose “alternatives”.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin said he was willing to discuss the plan’s details but if Kyiv refused it, Moscow would push on with its full-scale offensive in Ukraine, launched in February 2022.

On Friday (local time), Trump said that November 27 – when the United States celebrates Thanksgiving – was an “appropriate time” to set for Zelenskyy to agree a deal, but he indicated it could be flexible.

“He’ll have to like it and if he doesn’t like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting,” Trump told reporters. “At some point, he’s going to have to accept something.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff are scheduled to arrive in Geneva on Sunday (local time) to discuss the plan, a US official told AFP.

European officials are also expected in Switzerland.

– Agence France-Presse