EU-US-Ukraine meeting in Geneva tomorrow. EU and G7 leaders: Trump plan basic but more work needed

A growing number of US lawmakers, including some from the Republican Party led by President Donald Trump, are expressing views critical of his plan to end the war in Ukraine by pandering to several intransigent Russian demands. "We will not achieve that lasting peace by offering Vladimir Putin concession after concession and fatally degrading Ukraine's ability to defend itself," three Democratic MPs, one Republican and one independent lawmaker wrote in a statement, adding that history "teaches us that Putin understands only force and will not respect any agreement unless it is backed by force." The lawmakers echoed concerns expressed by other high-ranking Republicans shared yesterday, a day after details of the plan emerged. "Rewarding the Russian massacre would be disastrous for America's interests," veteran Republican Party Senator Mitch McConnell had written on social media, adding that the Russian president has "spent the entire year trying to fool President Trump." Senator Roger Wicker, another senior Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, had said he was "highly sceptical" that the proposal will help achieve peace, arguing in a statement that Kiev "should not be forced to cede its land to one of the world's most blatant war criminals", that it should be allowed to dictate the size of its military, and that "any assurances provided to Putin should not reward his malicious behaviour or undermine the security of the United States or allies". Meanwhile, the powerful chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Tim Scott, today said he supports the imposition of further sanctions against Russia, a long-standing demand of lawmakers. "I am committed to promoting strong, common-sense sanctions that put pressure on the Kremlin and give President Trump maximum leverage to ensure peace," he said in a statement.

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Energetic handshakes and great compliments at the White House between Donald Trump and Viktor Orban. The American president and the Hungarian premier are united by their exuberant character, their underlying populism, they resent migrants, they are distrustful of the European Union and they both hate Joe Biden. They like each other, they agree on almost everything: what divides them, however, is their ties with Russia and their judgement on the invasion of Ukraine. Trump, ever since he broke with Vladimir Putin, has been trying to bend the Kremlin by hitting, with sanctions and threats to the whole world, Russia's biggest asset: oil. Orban cannot do without Moscow's oil and gas, they are indispensable for the Hungarian economy: and therefore he cannot afford to break with Putin.

That is why the Magyar leader sought - and eventually found - in talks at the White House a concession on the oil Hungary buys from Russia. "We're looking at it, we're looking at the possibility of Hungary being exempt from sanctions, it's difficult for them to get gas and oil from elsewhere, they don't have the advantage of having the outlet to the sea and the ports," Trump said. He added: "If you look at what's going on in Europe, there are countries," he attacked, "that don't have the problem of Hungary and buy a lot of oil and gas from Russia. I am very bothered by this because we help them and they go and buy Russian oil and gas."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sent a very critical letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in which he urges the European Union to thoroughly review its strategy regarding the war in Ukraine. Zoltan Kovacs, Hungarian state secretary for public diplomacy and public relations, pointed this out in a long post on X. According to him, Europe has arrived at a 'moment of truth' and must recognise that the current choices do not lead to peace, but prolong an unending conflict. In his letter, he stated in no uncertain terms that Ukraine has no prospect of military victory. He pointed out that the country has already lost around 20 per cent of its territory and has continued to suffer heavy human and material losses. In this context, he considered it unrealistic and irresponsible to ask European taxpayers to finance the Ukrainian war effort indefinitely. According to him, the EU's mission is not to support an 'unwinnable' war, but to avoid further suffering by favouring a diplomatic solution.Orban advocated a rapid move towards peace initiatives, supporting in particular emerging diplomatic efforts, including those encouraged by Donald Trump, and called on the EU to also engage in its own direct negotiations with Moscow. Only a ceasefire and a peace agreement could put an end to the continuing destruction, he insisted. The prime minister felt that Europe should prepare for the post-war period. Rather than further investing in the Ukrainian armed forces, Viktor Orban defended the idea of strengthening the strategic capabilities of member states. Finally, he reiterated Budapest's inflexible position: Hungary will not support any new financial aid to Ukraine. He criticised the lack of control over funds already allocated and denounced a 'crisis of confidence' linked to corruption in Ukraine. He called on European leaders to acknowledge their mistakes and take the 'difficult but necessary decision': to choose the path of peace.

Russian forces killed five unarmed Ukrainian soldiers captured in the Pokrovsk district of the Donetsk region. This was reported by the Donetsk prosecutor's office on Telegram. "On 19 November, during an assault on our positions near the village of Kotlyne in the Pokrovsk district, soldiers of the Russian forces captured five soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces. As the unarmed Ukrainian defenders lay face down on the ground, one of the occupiers opened fire on them with an automatic rifle, killing them," the prosecutor's office reported.

"We know that if there are no elements of deterrence, the Russians will come back and break their promises". French President Emmanuel Macron said this on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, referring to the reduction of the Ukrainian army proposed in the plan presented by the US. Later in the day, the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing present at the summit signed a joint statement calling the plan a 'draft' that 'needs further work'.

'No': this is how Donald Trump responded to reporters when asked if his offer on the peace plan for Ukraine was final.

More than a peace plan, it appears to be an unconditional surrender, a mere provocation. US President Donald Trump's plan to end a major conflict that has dragged on for four years is nothing more than a clumsy attempt aimed at a near-surrender of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should accept what seems unacceptable. For him, as head of state. For his fellow citizens. But also for his European allies. Beyond humiliating territorial concessions, the Kiev government is not only being asked to halve its army, but also to give up armaments capable of striking Russian territory and thus acting as a deterrent against Russian actions. Zelensky should also say no to a possible deployment of that international force to be deployed after the war, proposed by Emmanuel Macron.

"In the coming days consultations will be held with our partners on the necessary steps to end the war." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote this in a post on social media, stressing that Ukrainian representatives "know how to defend Ukraine's national interests and exactly what needs to be done to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion, another attack against Ukraine, just as it has repeatedly committed crimes against our people and other nations in the past."

Italy will also participate in the meeting on Ukraine at the level of National Security Advisors scheduled for tomorrow in Geneva. For the Italian government - according to diplomatic sources - the diplomatic advisor to the Prime Minister, Fabrizio Saggio, will participate. The latter left the G20 in Johannesburg to attend the meeting, which will be held at the National Security Advisor (NSA) level.

The European Union is forced to once again chase after Donald Trump on Ukraine and has no choice but to go along with the US proposal, while attempting to place 'stakes'. This is basically the line that emerged on the sidelines of the G20 in Johannesburg, where European Council President Antonio Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen convened a meeting of the so-called 'willing ones'.

Thirteen guests were present at the table: in addition to Costa and von der Leyen, there were Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. In the statement, which was approved by the leaders present, it is said that they "welcome the continued efforts of the United States to bring peace to Ukraine" and acknowledge that "the initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace". It is, however, 'a foundation that will require further work'. That said, the 'willing ones' do, however, try to set some 'stakes' to limit the damage. Thus, they write, 'we are ready to engage to ensure that a future peace is sustainable' but 'we are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force'. The leaders say they are 'also concerned about the proposed limitations on the Ukrainian armed forces, which would make Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks'. They also do not like the fact that the American proposal essentially goes over the heads of the Europeans. Thus, they clarify, 'the implementation of the EU and NATO elements would require the consent of EU and NATO members respectively'. That said, the statement reiterates 'the strength of our continued support for Ukraine' with a commitment to continue 'working closely with Ukraine and the United States'. A summit of EU members is scheduled for Monday in Luanda, Angola, on the sidelines of the summit with the African Union.

"The work continues. I have invited all 27 EU leaders to an extraordinary meeting on Ukraine, to be held on the sidelines of the EU-African Union summit in Luanda on Monday". European Council President Antonio Costa wrote this on social media after convening a meeting on Ukraine of several European and Western leaders on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 summit in Johannesburg. "The US 28-point draft plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace," he reiterates: "We are ready to engage to ensure that a future peace is sustainable."

The Ukrainian president held several talks with several leaders of the Baltic States and Northern Europe, as well as with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. "We shared details of our diplomatic work with the US and Europe," the Ukrainian president wrote on social media X. "It is important for us that all partners who have been at our side since the beginning of this war are informed about the situation," he explained, "We are coordinating to involve Europe in the process. Zelensky also reiterated that 'since the first days of this war, Ukraine has sought a dignified peace like no other, and we are doing everything we can to work as concretely as possible'. In his one-to-one conversation with Schoof, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands also announced that 'one of the energy packages, consisting of various equipment, including transformers, is already on its way to Ukraine'.

Dear Ukrainians!

In the life of every nation there comes a time when we have to sit down and talk openly. Honestly. Calmly. Without speculation, without rumour, without gossip. Just the truth. As I have always tried to do with you.

"True peace is always based on guaranteed security and justice". This is what Volodymyr Zelensky said today, adding, with a reference to Donald Trump's plan, that there is "much more at stake than specific points in one document or another", stating that the main thing is to prevent "a third Russian invasion" and that the principle that "crimes against humanity" can be "rewarded or pardoned" does not prevail. The Ukrainian president expressed confidence that the Ukrainian delegation he had chosen for talks with the allies "knows how to protect Ukrainian national interests and knows exactly what is necessary to prevent Russia from a third invasion". "It is necessary," he continued, "to ensure that nowhere in Europe or in the world can the principle prevail that crimes against peoples and against humanity can be rewarded or forgiven.

"We welcome the continued efforts of the United States to bring peace to Ukraine. The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We therefore consider the draft to be a basis that will require further work'. This was stated in a statement on Ukraine adopted by EU leaders of European and G7 countries who met on the sidelines of the G20 in Johannesburg to discuss the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. And then: 'We are ready to engage to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders should not be changed by force. We are also concerned about the proposed limitations on the Ukrainian armed forces, which would make Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks'.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky formed the delegation by presidential decree to lead the talks with Washington and Moscow and appointed his top aide, Andriy Yermak, to head the team.

The 28 points reflect the current US plan, updated to Thursday 19 November 2025, according to Axios, a Virginia (US) based information portal. The plan was drafted by Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, with input from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Go to the next tabs to read the contents of the US plan.

The suggestion of a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement and the unease on the stock markets are affecting the energy markets. To the point of sinking oil prices, with falls of around 2%, even on the day the US sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil came into force.

On Friday 21 Brent and Wti fell to one-month lows, around 62 and 58 dollars per barrel respectively. The price of gas in Europe also weakened, hitting the lowest since May 2024 at the Ttf (EUR 30.11 per Megawatt-hour for futures traded at Ice), despite cold temperatures in many regions and withdrawals from stocks that lowered the average level to 81% (Gie data).

The question of a new summit between Russian and US presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is 'still on the agenda'. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in an interview with International Affairs, reported by Russian news agencies. Ryabkov emphasised that it was important for Moscow to ensure the substantive content of the eventual negotiations and to maintain the framework previously agreed at the Anchorage summit. "The Americans understand this approach of ours well," he explained. "We certainly want to count on the US administration to make the necessary efforts so that the conditions for contact between the leaders mature, which can only be effective," he noted. According to Ryabkov, work to find ways of further cooperation continues.

The truck loaded with clothes, blankets and basic necessities sent by Pope Leo to Kharkiv, one of the Ukrainian cities worst hit by war, has arrived at its destination. The initiative was part of the Jubilee of the Poor. The Pope's new gesture of closeness follows the path taken by Francis through the Apostolic Elemosineria.

US officials have told Nato allies that Washington intends to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a peace deal in the coming days, under the threat that if Kiev does not sign it it will face a much worse deal in the future. The Guardian writes this, citing an informed source. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll briefed the ambassadors of Nato countries during a meeting in Kiev on Friday evening, after talks with Zelensky and a phone call from the White House: 'No agreement is perfect, but it must be concluded as soon as possible,' he told them, according to a person present quoted by the Guardian. The mood in the room was sombre, with several European ambassadors questioning the content of the agreement and the way the US had conducted negotiations with Russia without keeping allies informed, according to the reconstruction. "It was a nightmarish meeting. It was the usual 'you have no cards to play' discussion again," the source said, referring to the statement used by Trump with reference to Zelensky during the controversial meeting between the two at the White House last February.

"It will take, I think a few weeks" to reach a solution to the conflict in Ukraine, but "the important thing is to continue to work with diplomacy to reach a ceasefire and a peace that is long lasting, that guarantees the security and independence of Ukraine. Europe must be a protagonist in this agreement also because it could not be otherwise: given that Europe has imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation, in order to reach an overall agreement we also need European participation, something that the Americans have also always said". Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this at a press point at the International Trade Forum in Turin.

"The proposed plan is, in my opinion, very harsh towards Ukraine and contains points that I think can never be accepted, but I consider it the starting point of a negotiation that we all hope for and for which we must all strive relentlessly". This is what Defence Minister Guido Crosetto wrote on his X profile. "I said it yesterday and I reiterate it today: Trump has by now made us understand, with tariffs, with Gaza and in many other scenarios, what his tactics are: he provokes, blanders, forces, caresses one day, slaps the next".

"Italy is ready to work with its European and American partners to achieve a just peace". Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this in her speech at the first working session of the G20, speaking about the 'unjustified Russian war of aggression against Ukraine'. Likewise, she added, Italy 'is already contributing in the Middle East to achieve a fragile but nevertheless very important result'.

(Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has granted pardons to 31 Ukrainian citizens imprisoned in the country on the basis of an agreement with US President Donald Trump. This is a 'goodwill gesture' aimed at facilitating 'the solution of the armed conflict in the neighbouring country', said Ukrainian presidential spokeswoman Natalya Eismont, quoted by the Belta news agency, which was in turn reported by Russia's Interfax. The detainees, convicted of crimes in Belarus, 'are being handed over to Ukraine right now', the spokeswoman added. Eismont emphasised that Lukashenko supports resolving the conflict by peaceful means, and to this end "negotiations with various countries, first and foremost the US, are currently at an active stage". "The Republic of Belarus is open to dialogue and is ready to consider proposals from all interested parties," Lukahenko's spokeswoman concluded.

"Italy is ready to collaborate with its European and American partners to achieve a just peace" in Ukraine "just as it is already contributing in the Middle East to fix a fragile but nevertheless very important result". This was said by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking at the G20 in Johannesburg, "talking about the unjustified Russian aggression against Ukraine",

The United States did not hold any consultations with the European Union on President Donald Trump's plan for a solution to the conflict in Ukraine. This was stated by Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. "It concerns Europe, but no consultations have been conducted with Poland or other European countries or European leaders ... No one has given any mandate to the United States. These are relations between the US and Russia,' Kosiniak-Kamysz said, quoted by Russian news agencies.

he Russian Defence Ministry claimed in the last 24 hours the conquest of two more villages in Ukraine: Nove Zaporizhzhia, in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Zvanovka, in the Donetsk region.

Two people were killed and two wounded in a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian power plant in the Samara region, about a thousand kilometres from the border. This was said by the governor, Vyacheslav Fedorischchev, quoted by Russian agencies. The attack, the governor specified, targeted 'fuel and energy industry facilities' in the city of Syzran, where a refinery is located.

On the sidelines of the G20 in South Africa, diplomatic efforts continue on the peace plan for Ukraine. Yesterday afternoon, EU sources explain, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Later, they met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: the meeting took place late in the evening. This morning von der Leyen and Costa had a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Later in the day Costa invited some leaders to a meeting to discuss the next steps regarding Ukraine and will also invite all 27 EU leaders to a meeting on Ukraine on the sidelines of the EU-UA summit in Angola.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that he had a 'timely and meaningful call' with the ministers of France, the UK, Poland, Finland, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and representatives of Italy and Germany. Sybiha said he had 'shared the results of President Zelensky's recent contacts and explained the logic of our next steps. We discussed,' he continued, 'in detail the elements of the peace proposals presented by the United States and our joint work to chart a viable path to a just peace. "I also stressed the importance of continuing transatlantic pressure to force Russia to end the war and thanked our partners for their willingness to increase support for Ukraine at this decisive moment," he added.

As part of the 'intensive diplomatic efforts on the peace plan for Ukraine on the margins of the G20', European Council President Antonio Costa invited 'in the course of the day' 'the related leaders present at the G20 (France, Germany, UK, Italy, Norway, Canada, Japan, Australia, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain) to a meeting to discuss the way forward on Ukraine. It will also invite all 27 EU leaders to a meeting on Ukraine on the sidelines of the EU-UA summit in Luanda' (24-25 November). This is according to an EU official.

A delegation of US generals will probably travel to Moscow next week to discuss the US peace plan for Ukraine. The Guardian reports this, citing US officials. On Thursday, a US delegation led by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll presented President Donald Trump's plan to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in Kiev.

Romania has scrambled two F-16 fighter jets to monitor the border following a Russian drone attack in the Odessa region. This was reported by Ukrainian media citing a note from the Ministry of Defence in Bucharest. "Two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets were launched in the night of 21-22 November from the 86th air base to monitor the air situation on the border with Ukraine, in the context of attacks conducted by the Russian Federation near the river border with Romania," the text reads. According to Kiev media, Russian drones hit the Orlivka checkpoint on the border with Romania, temporarily putting it out of action.

"Everything has yet to be established" regarding the talks between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump and the level of contacts on Washington's proposed plan for a solution in Ukraine. This was stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to the Tass news agency.

In fact, the text of the US peace plan 'envisages Ukraine giving up its sovereignty. I don't think that is acceptable'. This was stated by Leon Panetta, former US defence secretary and former CIA chief, in an interview with Corriere della Sera. "It basically adopts all Russian demands. Now Ukraine, with its European and NATO allies, has to make a counterproposal,' he stressed.

According to Panetta, 'the most important thing now is to show a united front between Europe and Ukraine. We will start negotiations and we will see, but the problem has always been Putin's inflexibility. Putin perceives the weakness of the US and will continue to demand everything. I think the Europeans must make it clear that if the US decides to back down, they will continue to support Ukraine in this war: that is the message they must send to both Trump and Putin. We must try to reach a ceasefire, but it cannot be done on Russian terms'.

The work of the G20 kicks off in Johannesburg, on the fringes of which a summit among European leaders is expected to take place later in the day, with US President Donald Trump's peace proposal for Ukraine at its centre. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's scheduled speech (which started about half an hour late) introduces the opening session of the G20, followed by the first working session, dedicated to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. At the Nasrec Expo Centre, after the working lunch and the customary family photo, the second session is scheduled for 2.00 p.m. (Italian time) and will focus on the G20's contribution to natural disaster risk reduction, climate change, energy transition and food security. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will speak in both sessions (behind closed doors) on the first of the two days of the summit. At 5.15 p.m., according to the programme, the leaders' reception, hosted by the President of South Africa, will take place.

Further reading

Ukraine, Meloni seeks Merz's backing on Trump plan not to have to choose between US and EU

21 November 2025

Russia blames Ukraine for an attack on an electricity substation in the town of Rylsk, Kursk. "The Ukrainian Army has launched a targeted attack on an electricity substation in the Borovskoye area in Ryksk," denounced Governor Alexander Khinshtein, as reported by the Russian news agency Tass, "The attack knocked out two technical rooms. About 3,000 consumers are without electricity'.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discussed with key European partners the plan proposed by the US to end the war in Ukraine and outlined with them the next steps to be taken. Sybiha himself reported this on X. In particular, Sybiha heard, in a joint phone call described as 'timely and significant', the foreign ministers of France, Great Britain, Poland, Finland, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas, as well as representatives of Italy and Germany.

"We discussed in detail the elements of the peace proposals presented by the United States and our joint work to pave the way for a just peace," Sybiha wrote, adding that he thanked partner countries "for their readiness to increase support for Ukraine at this decisive moment."

"Any Ukraine-Russia peace plan must be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine", must "stop the killing while protecting Ukrainian sovereignty" and minimise "the chances of a resumption of the conflict". Thus writes US Vice President JD Vance on his X account that 'any criticism of the peace track the Administration is working on stems from a misunderstanding of the framework itself or a misinterpretation of the critical reality on the ground'.

In the aftermath of his telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Vance criticises the approach, which he considers an 'illusion', of those who think that 'victory' may be 'within reach' and that the end of the war, triggered by the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine that began more than three years ago, is just a matter of 'more money, more weapons or more sanctions'. "Peace will not come with failed diplomats or politicians living in a fantasy world," he urges, "Maybe it will come with intelligent people living in the real world.

Russian air defence systems destroyed 69 Ukrainian drones overnight in the skies over Russia. This was reported by the Russian Defence Ministry, as reported by Tass. "During the night of 22 November, air defence warning systems destroyed 69 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones: 16 in the Rostov region, 15 drones in the Samara and Saratov regions, 13 in the Republic of Crimea, 3 drones in the Volgograd and Kursk regions, 2 in the Voronezh region and 1 each in the Belgorod and Bryansk regions."