Trump Hints at Progress in Russia-Ukraine Talks: "Something Good is Happening"

US President Donald Trump hinted via his Truth Social platform at the possibility of achieving "significant progress" in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, stating: "Something good may be happening," but emphasized the need to await tangible results on the ground.

Trump's post coincides with information published by The New York Times regarding actual progress in negotiations between the United States and Ukraine, following meetings in Geneva on Sunday between a Ukrainian delegation led by Andriy Yermak and a US delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

1. The Revised Peace Framework and Geneva Talks

• Progress Announced: The New York Times reported that genuine progress was made in the Geneva negotiations.

• The Framework Document: The two sides prepared an updated framework document outlining a joint path forward for peace talks.

• Delegation Optimism: Yermak affirmed that "very good progress" was made, while Rubio described the meeting as the "best yet" in the ongoing process.

• Plan Origin: The new framework is based on a modified version of the 28-point US peace plan that was previously leaked and included controversial proposals like territorial concessions or restricting the size of the Ukrainian military.

2. Ukrainian Reservations and Outstanding Issues

• Coordination with Kyiv: The New York Times asserted that the current version of the plan was redrafted in coordination with Kyiv and differs from the leaked version.

• Security Guarantees: The plan includes a parallel document on security guarantees, which conceptually resembles Article 5 of the NATO treaty, but lacks legally binding force in Congress, sparking Ukrainian reservations (due to past experiences like the 1994 Budapest Memorandum).

• Seeking Better Terms: Kyiv is seeking better terms than the Trump-backed proposal, amid unofficial concerns that Washington might use the leverage of aid to pressure them into a quick agreement.

• Moscow's Stance: Ukrainian Ambassador to Washington, Olha Stefanishyna, confirmed that Ukraine has not agreed to all points of the document and that Moscow "has not made any concessions."

• Remaining Issues: Rubio indicated that the remaining issues are "not intractable" provided Moscow agrees.

3. Anticipated Diplomatic Movements

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United States this week to discuss the plan with Trump is still under consideration, while no meetings have been scheduled with the Russian side.