After Trump’s rebuke, Zelenskyy expresses gratitude to US for peace efforts amid Geneva peace talks
KYIV, UKRAINE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday, November 23, reaffirmed his commitment to securing a durable and “dignified” peace, even as he faced fresh criticism from President Donald Trump, who accused Ukraine’s leadership of expressing “zero gratitude” for US assistance.
As US and Ukrainian delegations met in Geneva, Zelenskyy said in a post on X that he was thankful for American and European efforts and specifically thanked Trump.
"Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump for the assistance that – starting with the Javelins – has been saving Ukrainian lives. We thank everyone in Europe, in the G7, and in the G20 who is helping us defend life. It is important to preserve the support," he wrote in a post on X.
The crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war, and it is Russia, and only Russia, that has been refusing to end it throughout the full-scale invasion. From the very first minutes of February 24, Putin has been waging…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 23, 2025
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says ‘everything must work out the right way’
Zelenskyy said that Russia’s ongoing refusal to halt its invasion remains “the crux of the entire diplomatic situation.”
“Putin has been waging this war with complete disregard for how many of his own people he loses and how many of ours he kills,” he said.
Zelenskyy added that he appreciates so deeply that so many forces and leaders are working for peace right now.
"Everything must work out the right way – so that this war is truly ended and so that it does not happen again. Thank you to everyone who is helping! Thank you, America! Thank you, Europe! I am proud of our people," he noted.
“It is important not to forget the main goal, to stop Russia’s war and prevent it from ever igniting again,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Marco Rubio calls Geneva talks ‘most productive’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck an upbeat tone after talks with Ukrainian officials in Geneva, telling reporters that the discussions were “the most productive and meaningful meeting so far” since negotiations began.
Rubio defended the administration’s 28-point peace plan, a proposal sharply criticized by lawmakers in both parties for its concessions to Moscow, calling it a “very good work product” built on input from “all the relevant parties.”
The peace proposal was authored by the U.S.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 23, 2025
It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations
It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. https://t.co/JWbAQ04kcw
A draft of the plan reportedly includes terms such as Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, abandoning its NATO aspirations, and agreeing to limits on the size of its military.
US and Ukrainian teams, Rubio said, are now working through adjustments in hopes of “further narrowing the differences.” Ultimately, Rubio noted, the plan must be approved by both Trump and Zelenskyy and eventually by Russia.
Jared Kushner joins White House push for deal
Among the US delegation in Geneva is Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who has taken on periodic diplomatic roles, including involvement in Middle East negotiations during both of Trump’s terms.
The administration has stepped up efforts to finalize a Ukraine agreement following the recent ceasefire in Gaza, a deal Kushner also reportedly helped facilitate.
The delegation is led by Rubio and includes Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, State Department Counselor Mike Needham, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Alexis Grynkewich, Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker, and US Ambassador to Ukraine Julie Davis.
The push to end the war in Ukraine has officially moved to the negotiating table, with high-stakes talks getting underway in Geneva on Sunday.
