Top Ukrainian and European officials met in Geneva on Sunday to prepare for discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over US President Donald Trump’s proposal to end Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak led the delegation. He said on social media that they had their first meeting with national security advisers from the U.K., France, and Germany. The allies aimed to review the plan, which many believe favors Moscow.

“The next meeting is with the U.S. delegation. We are in a very constructive mood,” Yermak said. “We continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine.”

Rubio was expected to attend the talks alongside Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Zelenskyy Calls for Positive Outcome

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for results. “A positive result is needed for all of us,” he said. “Ukrainian and American teams, teams of our European partners — are in close contact, and I very much hope there will be a result. Bloodshed must be stopped and it must be guaranteed that the war will not be reignited.”

Later, Zelenskyy added that the U.S. had shown willingness to consider “a number of elements” in a peace deal important for Ukraine. He said:

“There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraine’s national interests. Further work is ongoing to ensure that all elements are truly effective in achieving the main goal our people hope for — ultimately putting an end to the bloodshed and the war.”

Ukraine and Allies Reject Territorial Concessions

The U.S. proposed a 28-point plan to end the nearly four-year conflict. Kyiv and European capitals expressed alarm, arguing it would require Ukraine to give in to many Russian demands. Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected giving up Ukrainian territory.

Trump criticized the ongoing conflict, writing on Truth Social that it was “a war that is a loser for everyone, especially the millions of people that have so needlessly died.” He added that Ukraine’s leadership “has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia.”

The plan, negotiated between Washington and Moscow, reportedly allows many Russian demands, which Zelenskyy categorically opposes. He reiterated that Ukrainians “will always defend” their homeland.

European Leaders Criticize Plan Restrictions

Alice Rufo, France’s minister delegate at the Defense Ministry, said key talks would focus on restrictions the plan would place on the Ukrainian army. She described them as “a limitation on its sovereignty.” She added, “Ukraine must be able to defend itself. Russia wants war and waged war many times in fact over the past years.”

Before Sunday’s talks, Trump said the U.S. plan was not his “final offer.” He stated, “I would like to get to peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened. One way or the other, we have to get it ended.”

Confusion Over Rubio’s Remarks

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Warsaw was willing to work on the plan with European, Canadian, and Japanese leaders but noted uncertainty about who created it.

Some U.S. lawmakers claimed Rubio had called the plan a Russian “wish list” rather than a U.S.-led proposal. Senators said Rubio told them the plan “was not the administration’s plan” but rather “a wish list of the Russians.”

A State Department spokesperson rejected this claim as “blatantly false.” Rubio later clarified online that Washington was responsible for the proposal, emphasizing the initial confusion over the plan’s origin.

Erdogan Seeks New Grain Export Talks

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He aims to revive a July 2022 agreement that allowed Ukraine to safely ship grain via the Black Sea.

Erdogan said, “We had a grain corridor endeavor to open the path to peace. Unfortunately we were only partially able to succeed. Tomorrow I will be asking Putin to revisit the endeavor.”

This initiative comes days after Erdogan met Zelenskyy in Ankara to discuss diplomatic solutions.