Trump: Ukraine Peace Deal ‘Very Close’

Ukraine has signaled support for the “essence” of a revised U.S.-backed peace framework aimed at ending the nearly four-year war with Russia. The confirmation came in late November 2025, as President Donald Trump declared that negotiations were “very close” to producing a final agreement. Despite this renewed momentum, several crucial issues—including territory, security guarantees, and NATO membership—remain unresolved.

Story Highlights

Ukraine says it reached a “common understanding” with the U.S. on the core terms of the peace plan.
Trump states a deal is “very close,” though major details remain unsettled.
Russia dismisses the current progress and has not accepted the revised proposal.
Discussions took place in Geneva and Abu Dhabi among U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian delegates.
The original 28-point plan was reduced to a 19-point framework after Ukrainian objections.

Ukraine Signals Support After Talks in Geneva

The latest diplomatic progress follows months of negotiations. Ukraine’s national security secretary, Rustem Umerov, confirmed on November 24, 2025, that Ukrainian and U.S. officials had reached a “common understanding on the core terms” of the revised peace plan during meetings held in Geneva on November 23 and 24. These sessions were convened to address Ukraine’s concerns about an earlier U.S. draft that Kyiv believed tilted in favor of Russia.

Ukraine and US agree ‘essence’ of peace deal as Trump says ‘we’re getting very close’https://t.co/R046L9aPbg

— The Independent (@Independent) November 26, 2025

Trump Expresses Optimism as Negotiations Intensify

President Donald Trump reinforced the sense of progress when he stated on November 25 that a peace deal was “very close.” He noted that his administration had been coordinating with both Kyiv and Moscow, sending envoys to meet with counterparts in Geneva and Abu Dhabi to address unresolved issues.

Although Trump had earlier suggested Thanksgiving Day (November 27) as a possible milestone for an agreement, he later acknowledged that finalizing the remaining sensitive points would require additional time.

How the Peace Plan Evolved From October to Late November

The origins of the draft peace plan go back to mid-October 2025, when Russia circulated a “non-paper” that outlined its preferred terms for a settlement. This document shaped the initial 28-point U.S. proposal, which became public on November 21, 2025.

The disclosure triggered significant pushback from Ukraine, as several provisions appeared to endorse Russian positions, particularly concerning territorial concessions and limits on Ukraine’s future military and political autonomy.

Recognizing the need for revisions, U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva on November 23. During this meeting, the proposal was reduced from 28 points to 19, with the most contentious demands removed.

Abu Dhabi Talks With Russia and Continued Hostilities

On November 25, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll traveled to Abu Dhabi to present the revised plan to Russian officials. These discussions extended into November 26, with U.S. negotiators describing a degree of progress while acknowledging Moscow’s reluctance to move far from its original demands.

That same day, American officials told NBC News that Ukraine had agreed to the plan “in principle,” though Kyiv clarified that final details were still pending. Even as diplomats met, Russia launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukrainian territory, highlighting the delicate balance between negotiations and ongoing warfare.

Major Sticking Points: Territory, NATO, and Military Limits

Territorial questions remain the most sensitive subject. While the initial U.S. draft effectively pressured Ukraine to recognize Russian control over occupied territories, the revised version postpones territorial discussions until a future leadership-level meeting. Ukraine insists its internationally recognized borders are non-negotiable.

NATO membership is another major concern. The original U.S. plan urged Ukraine to abandon its pursuit of NATO accession. However, the revised framework softens this stance by making future membership conditional on the consensus of existing NATO members. This avoids an outright ban while pushing the decision to a later stage.

The size of Ukraine’s postwar military is also under debate. The U.S. proposal suggests limiting the armed forces to 600,000 personnel, while a European proposal recommends 800,000. Kyiv has not committed to either figure.

Russia’s Position and What Comes Next

Russia has not endorsed the updated plan. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that any settlement must reflect earlier understandings allegedly reached with Trump and must not deviate from Moscow’s preferred terms. The Kremlin has dismissed the current wave of diplomatic reports as an “information frenzy,” insisting that significant differences still remain.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has expressed openness to a face-to-face meeting with Trump to resolve the remaining issues. Secret U.S.–Russia talks in Abu Dhabi are continuing as negotiators work to bridge the final gaps.

Despite the renewed diplomatic effort, the escalation of attacks on November 25 and 26 underscores the fragile nature of the situation. Whether the parties can secure a lasting agreement will depend on aligning Ukraine’s demands with U.S. mediation efforts and Russia’s willingness to compromise.

Watch the report: Ukraine reaches “understanding” with US on peace plan as Trump says “deal may be close” | BBC News