Geneva, Berlin, Miami: A recent history of talks to end the warpublished at 16:17 GMT

16:17 GMT

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff talk to each other as Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen look on following a family photo opportunity at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025Image source, Kay Nietfeld/Pool via Reuters

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s upcoming meeting in Florida is the latest in a series of diplomatic efforts involving the US and Ukraine’s European allies aimed at ending the war. Let’s take a look at the most recent.

28-point peace plan

In November, details of a US-backed 28-point peace plan emerged. This was widely seen as favourable to Russia, requiring Ukraine to concede territory, reduce the size of its army, and pledge not to join Nato.

Zelensky said his country risked either losing its dignity, or losing US support. European allies criticised the plan.

Geneva talks

Talks followed in Geneva on 23 November, with delegations sent by the US, Ukraine and its European allies. Details of a European counter-proposal with terms more favourable to Ukraine were widely reported, although the BBC could not independently verify them.

Russia-US talks

Talks between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff at the start of December failed to produce a breakthrough. A Kremlin spokesman said the Moscow meeting was “constructive”, but parts of the plan remained unacceptable to Russia.

US-Ukraine talks

This was followed by three days of talks in Miami between Zelensky’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov and his US counterparts.

Shortly afterwards, Trump accused Zelensky of not having read the revised draft plan, but Zelensky said he was waiting to be briefed by his negotiators “in person”.

Berlin talks

In mid-December, the US said it was ready to offer Ukraine Nato-like security guarantees to safeguard an eventual ceasefire, following talks in Berlin.

Zelensky signalled for the first time that as a “compromise” he would give up ambitions to join Nato in exchange for strong guarantees.

20-point plan

Shortly before Christmas, US and Ukrainian envoys said three days of talks in Miami aimed at ending the war with Russia had been “productive and constructive”.

Witkoff and Umerov said the meeting focused on aligning positions on a 20-point plan – seen as an update of the original 28-point document.