Top officials from the United States, Ukraine, and national security advisers from France, Britain, and Germany are expected to meet in Geneva on Sunday, November 23, for discussions over Washington’s draft plan to end the war in Ukraine. The gathering, involving some of the highest-level envoys since Russia’s invasion entered its fourth year, is anticipated to shape the next phase of diplomatic efforts, though the exact start time of the talks has not been confirmed.
A motorcade of diplomatic and police cars pass by the entrance of the InterContinental hotel as U.S. and Ukrainian officials prepare for closed-door talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, with the exact time and location undisclosed, in Geneva, Switzerland, November 23, 2025. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were due to arrive on Sunday for the discussions. Rubio has now landed in Geneva, signaling the United States’ commitment to the talks. The proposed 28-point peace plan—calling for Ukraine to cede territory, limit its military, and abandon NATO ambitions—has stirred intense debate among Kyiv’s allies.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had until Thursday to approve the proposal. “We hope to iron out the final details…to draft a deal that is advantageous to them (Ukraine),” a U.S. official said, adding: “Nothing will be agreed on until the two presidents get together.”
Ahead of Rubio’s departure, Trump reiterated that his current proposal “is not his final offer.” Early on Sunday, convoys of U.S. diplomatic vehicles were seen moving through the Swiss city, though it remained unclear whether the talks were beginning imminently.
Diplomatic security officers secure the entrance of the InterContinental hotel as U.S. and Ukrainian officials prepare for closed-door talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, with the exact time and location undisclosed, in Geneva, Switzerland, November 23, 2025. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has arrived in Geneva, according to a U.S. official. Ukraine’s delegation, led by Zelenskiy’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, includes senior security officials. National security advisers from the E3 alliance—France, Britain and Germany—are expected to join, along with the European Union. Italy is also due to send an official, according to diplomatic sources.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would speak with Zelenskiy later on Sunday about Washington’s proposal. On Saturday, European and Western leaders noted that while the U.S. draft could serve as a basis for negotiations, it still required “additional work,” as allies seek stronger terms for Kyiv ahead of the Thursday deadline. A German government source confirmed that a European draft, aligned in part with Washington’s plan, had been shared with both Kyiv and U.S. officials.
Criticism Mounts Over Proposal Some Call a Russian ‘Wish List’
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that the proposed 28-point plan—criticized by many for appearing overly generous to Russia—was “authored by the US.”
The peace proposal was authored by the U.S.
It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations
It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. https://t.co/JWbAQ04kcw
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 23, 2025
His remarks followed claims from a group of lawmakers skeptical of President Donald Trump’s strategy to end the war. They said Rubio had told them the plan Trump is pressing Kyiv to accept was a “wish list” of the Russians rather than Washington’s actual proposal. A State Department spokesperson rejected their account, calling it “blatantly false.”
Rubio later suggested publicly that the senators had misinterpreted him, reaffirming that Washington authored the proposal, which surprised many observers for aligning with several long-standing Russian demands.
Ukraine Strikes Power Station Deep Inside Russia
While diplomatic preparations continue in Switzerland, fighting on the ground escalated. Ukraine launched one of its most far-reaching attacks yet on Russian energy infrastructure, hitting the Shatura Power Station in the Moscow region with drones early Sunday.
Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov said Ukrainian drones struck the facility, located about 120 km east of the Kremlin. Unverified video footage circulating on Telegram captured loud explosions, bursts of flames, and thick smoke rising into the night. “Some of the drones were destroyed by air-defence forces. Several fell on the territory of the station. A fire broke out at the facility,” Vorobyov said.
The strike caused widespread heating outages as temperatures hovered around freezing. Vorobyov said backup power had been activated and mobile heating systems deployed. “All efforts are being taken to promptly restore heat supply,” he added. The town of Shatura, home to around 33,000 people, was among the affected areas.
According to Kommersant, citing the emergencies ministry, three transformers at the site caught fire.
