Ukraine has agreed to core terms of a peace deal to end the war with Russia, a U.S. official said on November 25, 2025. The official said only minor details remain to be settled and that the understanding reflects intensive talks between American, Ukrainian, and Russian interlocutors over recent days.
The disclosure followed a weekend of negotiations in Geneva and two days of follow-up meetings in Abu Dhabi.
A spokesman for U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said Driscoll and his team met Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on November 24 and 25, 2025, to discuss the framework for the deal. The spokesman, Lt. Col. Jeff Tolbert, noted the talks were going well and were closely synchronized with the White House and the broader interagency process.
A separate U.S. official said a Ukrainian delegation was also present in Abu Dhabi and remained in contact with the American side.
How the talks came together
The diplomatic push accelerated after publication of a 28-point peace plan that set out proposed steps on a cease-fire, security guarantees, and future political arrangements. The leak spurred debates in European capitals and on Capitol Hill, where a number of lawmakers criticized the initial text as too favorable to Moscow.
Over the weekend of November 22–23, 2025, U.S. and Ukrainian delegations met in Geneva and produced what both sides described as an updated and refined framework that addressed several contentious provisions.
According to U.S. officials, the revised version incorporated input from Kyiv and European partners and narrowed differences on enforcement and sequencing. While details of the text were not released, officials emphasized that the remaining issues were technical, including timelines, monitoring arrangements, and the order in which steps would be taken if a cease-fire holds.
Reactions in Washington and Kyiv
On Capitol Hill, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., called the original draft a “surrender document for Ukraine” that would have left the country at Russia’s mercy for decades.
He later said the new version, developed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s involvement and with Ukrainian and European input, represented a better plan. His remarks captured a broader shift among critics who demanded stronger safeguards and clearer limits on any concessions.
In Kyiv, senior officials framed the development as an agreement on major parts of a larger package. Rustem Umerov said the Geneva meetings were productive and that the delegations reached a common understanding on core terms.
He added that Ukraine now looks to European partners for support in next steps and that his government anticipates President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visiting the United States at the earliest suitable date to complete final steps and meet President Donald Trump.
Battlefield pressure and timing
Ukraine’s decision came hours after an overnight strike on Kyiv that authorities said killed at least six people and injured 13. The attack damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, a reminder that events on the ground continue to shape diplomatic calculations.
Officials involved in the talks said the escalation underscored the importance of locking in cease-fire mechanics that can reduce civilian harm and create space for humanitarian access.
The political calendar also matters. After the Geneva session, U.S. officials pushed for visible progress before the Thanksgiving holiday week in the United States, aiming to maintain momentum and build support among allies.
European leaders have signaled they will examine the revised framework swiftly, with attention to legal authorities, verification, and alignment with existing commitments to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
