Diplomatic Efforts Bring Mixed Signals on Peace in Ukraine

Sun Nov 30 2025 21:21:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amidst frantic diplomacy, leaders express optimism about potential peace in Ukraine, but challenges remain as talks progress.

Following intense diplomatic discussions, both U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have expressed cautious optimism regarding a potential peace deal in Ukraine. However, mixed signals from Russian officials and ongoing contentious issues such as territorial disputes and security guarantees pose significant challenges. Despite progress in negotiations, doubts linger over the viability of a lasting settlement.

Are we any closer to peace in Ukraine?

After a frantic, often confusing few days of diplomacy, Donald Trump seems to think so.

We're getting very close to a deal, he told reporters on Tuesday.

For his part, Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, who had looked and sounded grim over the weekend, said there were now many prospects that can make the path to peace real.

There are significant results, he said, after reviewing the results of Sunday's key discussions in Geneva, and there is still much work to be done.

But from the Russians, apart from some discontented mutterings about European involvement and unauthorized leaks, the response has been somewhat muted.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday that Moscow viewed some elements of the latest draft positively, but many require special discussions among experts. Separately, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said it was premature to think that a deal was close.

Given the gulf that exists between Ukraine and Russia on so many key issues – including territory, NATO membership, who should pay for Ukraine's reconstruction, and how will those involved in war crimes be held accountable – it is hard to see all the necessary pieces falling into place anytime soon.

Last Wednesday already seems like aeons ago. A leaked draft of a 28-point US plan to end the war first emerged, causing consternation in Kyiv and prompting European diplomats to scramble. The plan's references to Ukraine giving up territory led some to describe it as a Russian wish list. In response, Europeans drafted a counter-proposal emphasizing negotiation on territory and security guarantees.

Despite various statements calling for a sustainable peace, it remains unclear how much influence the European proposals had during the Geneva talks.

Ukrainian officials expressed relief as the most contentious issues – territory and NATO relations – have been postponed for Trump and Zelensky to decide. Meanwhile, concerns linger about the specifics of security guarantees Ukraine can expect if a deal is reached.

The prospect of Trump prioritizing peace is consistent, as even as the situation remains precarious and fluid, and many questions remain unanswered.