Geneva: The US peace proposal for ending the war in Ukraine has been pared back from 28 points to 19 after talks in Geneva, US and Ukrainian officials said, describing the discussions as constructive but not final, US media reported on Monday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted "tremendous" progress during negotiations with Ukrainian and European counterparts, emphasizing that more work was still needed. A joint US-Ukraine statement highlighted 'meaningful progress toward aligning positions.'

According to Anadolu Agency, people briefed on the talks disclosed to the Financial Times that nine provisions were removed from the original draft but did not specify which ones. European officials had earlier objected to some points concerning sanctions and frozen Russian assets, stating that those decisions fall under EU authority. Finnish President Alexander Stubb called the reduction a 'step forward,' while emphasizing that several major issues still need resolution.

The 28-point US plan to end the over three-and-a-half-year war is currently on the table in Geneva, where representatives from Washington, Kyiv, and European capitals convened to discuss the details. Former US President Donald Trump mentioned on Saturday that the US-drafted plan would not be his "final offer," as the proposal has sparked concerns in Kyiv and among its allies. The draft seems to demand Ukraine surrender additional territory to Russia, limit its military size, and formally abandon its bid to join NATO. Trump has given Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Thursday to respond.

Zelenskyy faces a critical decision, stating that it involves either the "loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner." On Saturday, leaders from nine European countries, along with Japan, Canada, and top EU officials, expressed concern over the plan's proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces, warning that such measures "would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack."