Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his appreciation to a visibly upset Donald Trump after Trump introduced a peace proposal aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the European Union has offered an alternative plan that includes significant differences.

On Sunday, Ukrainian and U.S. delegations met in Geneva for discussions. Following these talks, the president of Ukraine took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude towards the numerous nations striving to achieve peace for his country.

Zelensky conveyed his thanks to the United States, acknowledging “every American heart” and President Trump personally for their support. He also extended his gratitude to European allies and members of the G20 for their ongoing assistance.

However, he emphasized, “It is crucial to remember the primary objective – to halt Russia’s war and ensure it never reignites. For that, peace must be achieved with dignity.”

He asserted that Russia’s actions are not merely about territorial gains but are driven by their perceived “right to wage war” and “subjugate.”

“This is why we meticulously consider every detail, every step towards peace,” Zelensky stated. “Everything must be executed correctly to truly conclude this war and prevent its recurrence,” he added, reiterating his gratitude to the U.S. and other supportive nations.

However, following the main talks on Sunday, the US Secretary of State confirmed: ‘We’ve had probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process.’

Rubio said they have a ‘product’ built on a ‘foundation of input’ from all the parties involved and they have ‘made good progress’ going through the points it contains.

The administration is set to go through ‘some of the suggestions that were proffered to us’ and making some ‘changes’ and adjustments to get closer to something both Ukraine and the US are comfortable with, he said.

Rubio added that there is also the Russian side of the equation, but they think they have some ‘pretty substantial insights’ into what is important to them.

‘I think the takeaway from it is, I think this was a very, very meaningful, I would say probably best meeting and day we’ve had so far in this entire process going back to when we first came into office in January,’ he said.

It comes as the EU put forward a counter-proposal to the US’ 28-point Ukraine plan. 

Drafted by Europe’s E3 powers of Britain, France and Germany, the rival plan differs drastically from the one earlier presented by the Trump administration with suggested changes and deletions.

The US proposals have been widely criticised as being too favourable to Moscow, from handing over Ukraine’s key Donbas region, slashing the size of its army and barring NATO troops from Ukrainian soil.

In a stark contrast, the European plan is far more supportive of Ukraine, suggesting a that Ukraine receive a security guarantee from the US similar to NATO’s Article 5 clause and pushing back on the US proposal for the use of Russian assets frozen in the West.

The Ukrainian President later took to X to share his gratitude following a conversation with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, and Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden.

‘It is very important that now practically all European countries are closely following the process toward achieving peace and are ready to engage. I am grateful for their support,’ he said.

‘I informed them about our diplomatic work on the American proposal and the meetings in Geneva. We are counting on an outcome that will pave the way to a real and lasting peace. 

‘We are also preparing for contacts in the Coalition of the Willing format. The work must be as substantive as possible, and we will ensure that. 

‘I am grateful to every leader and to everyone around the world who supports Ukraine and our principled stances. We are working to ensure full coordination among our friends’.

One of the key differences in the European plan is a requirement for ‘no restriction’ to be placed on the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 

Unlike the Trump plan, which would see Ukraine’s military capped at 600,000 personnel, the EU proposal suggests there are no restrictions imposed on the country’s defence forces, including international co-operation.

The EU plan also does not ban Ukraine from joining NATO, with the final decision subject to ‘consensus within the alliance’.

This long-running flashpoint is sure to provoke fury in Russia, which has repeatedly accused the West of provoking war by expanding NATO right up to its borders.

Even more strikingly, the European plan states that Kyiv would ‘not be forced to be neutral’, and could even invite ‘friendly forces’ onto its territory if desired – potentially opening the door for British troops to deploy under the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ championed earlier this year by Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron.

In a move likely to upset hawks in Washington, Brussels and Kyiv are pushing for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire that would freeze current front lines, overseen by monitors from the US and Europe.

Ukraine, meanwhile, would receive ‘robust, legally-binding security guarantees, including from the US, to prevent aggression’ by Russia.

By contrast, there is no mention of a ceasefire in the US-Russia plan.

Instead, Trump’s camp demands a territorial concession that would deprive Ukraine of it’s strategically vital, mineral-rich towns in eastern Donbas.

Europe’s plan does concede that sanctions on Moscow could be eased ‘gradually’ – but only if Russia complies. Any breach would see punitive measures ‘snap back’ instantly.

Trump’s proposal, drafted by his special envoy Steve Witkoff alongside Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev – and controversial enough to draw fire from fellow Republicans – adopts a far softer stance. 

It envisages sweeping sanctions relief, lucrative US-Russia joint ventures in mining and AI, and even sees Moscow returning to the G7. 

It also calls for NATO Article 5-style defence guarantees for Ukraine, while vaguely assuring that ‘it is expected that Russia will not invade neighbouring countries and Nato will not expand further.’

Under Europe’s proposals, Kyiv would regain control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the Kakhovka Dam, while enjoying ‘unhindered passage’ along the Dnipro River. 

In the longer term, Ukraine would be ‘fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine.’

It comes after a furious Trump today accused Ukraine of showing ‘zero gratitude’ over his peace plan to end the war with Russia. 

The US President called the conflict ‘a loser for everyone’ and said that he had ‘inherited a war that should have never happened’. 

Trump, writing in capital letters on his Truth Social platform, also appeared to take a swipe at Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the war would ‘never have happened’ if there was ‘strong and proper US and Ukrainian leadership’. 

He said: ‘I inherited a war that should have never happened, a war that is a loser for everyone, especially the millions of people that have so needlessly died. 

‘Ukraine ‘leadership’ has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia.’ 

Sir Keir Starmer held talks with President Trump today where the two leaders discussed the peace deal. 

A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump today.

‘The leaders discussed various aspects of the high level discussions taking place in Geneva today on the US peace plan for Ukraine. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace.

‘They agreed to keep in touch.’

Just minutes after Trump unleashed his tirade, top Kyiv security official Rustem Umerov declared that Ukraine ‘appreciates our American partners’.  

Writing on X, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council said: ‘Our current proposals while still not finalised include many Ukrainian priorities. We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns to reach this critical point and we expect to make more progress today.’ 

Ursula von der Leyen had earlier warned that Ukraine’s borders cannot be changed by force. 

The European Commission President said any deal with Vladimir Putin’s Russia should not be ‘sowing the seeds for a future conflict’. 

‘Any credible and sustainable peace plan should first and foremost stop the killing and end the war, while not sowing the seeds for a future conflict,’ Ms von der Leyen said.

‘We have agreed on the main elements necessary for a just and lasting peace and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Let me highlight three of them. 

‘First, borders cannot be changed by force.

‘Second, as a sovereign nation there cannot be limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security.

‘Third, the centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected. Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny.’ 

The Ukrainian delegation today held their first meeting with Britain’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell and his French and German counterparts.

US, Ukrainian and European counterparts are meeting in Geneva, with special envoy Steve Witkoff, army secretary Dan Driscoll and US secretary of state Mr Rubio expected to represent Washington.

Mr Zelensky posted on X: ‘The Ukrainian and American teams, as well as the teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I do hope that there will be a result.

‘The bloodshed must be stopped, and we must ensure that the war is never reignited.’

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the deal ‘requires some additional work’. 

‘We have been clear that there are elements of the peace plan that he has proposed that are essential for a just and lasting peace,’ she said. 

Ms Alexander said allies of Ukraine need to ‘find a way to secure that ceasefire and open up space for meaningful negotiations’.

Mr Rubio earlier insisted that the controversial peace plan for Ukraine was ‘authored by the US’.

He doubled down on US ownership of the plan, pushing back against claims from several senators that it amounted to a ‘Russian wish list’.

‘It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine,’ Rubio said.

Trump declared the proposal was ‘by far’ not the ‘final offer’ as Western leaders scrambled to coordinate a response during frantic G20 summit diplomacy in South Africa.

The plan, drawn up by the Trump administration and the Kremlin, has alarmed European governments after it emerged Ukraine was being pushed to accept terms that mirror long-standing demands from Moscow.

In a joint statement on Saturday, European and other Western leaders cautiously acknowledged that the document could serve as a possible basis for ending the war but stressed that it would require ‘additional work’. 

Washington has strongly denied accusations that it echoes Russian objectives.

Ahead of the gathering, Zelensky issued a video address insisting that Ukraine’s negotiators ‘know how to protect Ukrainian national interests and exactly what is needed to prevent Russia from carrying out’ another invasion.

‘Real peace is always based on security and justice,’ he said.

The 28-point blueprint closely mirrors positions repeatedly put forward by the Kremlin over nearly four years of full-scale war, including demands that Ukraine hand over territory and drastically reduce the size of its armed forces.

Trump has insisted Kyiv respond by Thursday, though he hinted an extension may be possible.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, he dismissed suggestions the proposal was final.

He said: ‘We’d like to get the peace, it should’ve happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should’ve never happened. If I was president, it would have never happened. We’re trying to get it ended. One way or another, we have to get it ended.’

Leaders across Europe have been trying to strike a careful balance — praising Trump’s efforts to end the war while acknowledging that key parts of the plan are unacceptable to Kyiv.

‘There are many things that cannot simply be an American proposal, which requires broader consultation,’ Emmanuel Macron warned on the sidelines of the G20, saying any deal must deliver peace for Ukrainians and ‘security for all Europeans’.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the stakes for Europe, warning of the wider fallout should Kyiv be forced into defeat.

‘If Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, it will have an impact on European politics as a whole, on the entire European continent. And that is why we are so committed to this issue,’ he said.

‘There is currently an opportunity to end this war, but we are still quite a long way from a good outcome for everyone.’

Keir Starmer, speaking in Johannesburg, voiced particular concern over proposed limits on Ukraine’s armed forces.

‘We are concerned about [caps on military], because it’s fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if there’s a ceasefire.’

He said the plan ‘requires additional work’, adding: ‘And that’s why there’s been the agreement that in Geneva tomorrow [Sunday], you’ll have senior US personnel, you’ll have European NSAs [national security advisers], including the UK NSA, and obviously Ukrainians there to work further on the draft.’

Starmer has spoken directly with Trump about the matter and is expected to speak with him again on Sunday, Downing Street said.

It comes as residents in Moscow were hit with power blackouts and heating disruption for the first time today after a Ukrainian strike.

A dramatic swarm of drones exploded the Lenin Shatura thermal plant – mostly fired by gas – as temperatures dipped below freezing point.

‘A fire broke out at the facility,’ admitted regional governor Andrey Vorobyov, referring to the Shatura strike.

He admitted emergency workers scrambled to bring in ‘backup’ power and heating supplies after the damage to the power plant, east of Moscow.

Pro-Kremlin media outlet Readovka and others admitted that power and heating disruptions were felt by residents – a rare event near the Russian capital but regular for Ukrainians after constant strikes by Putin’s forces.Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin admitted the capital was under attack by Ukrainian drones with at least three shot down.