• US President Donald Trump claims a peace deal for Ukraine is close, despite ongoing skepticism from Europe.
• A revised peace plan reflects more of Ukraine’s demands, but Russia rules out any major concessions.
• Concerns remain about the potential security guarantees for Ukraine and the implications of territorial concessions.
• Diplomatic talks are ongoing, with key meetings planned between US and Russian officials.
• The conflict continues with reports of fresh attacks, raising urgency around negotiations.

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that a deal to end the Ukraine war was “very close,” yet European leaders have expressed caution amid ongoing violence, including recent missile strikes in Kyiv. Trump’s revised plan has shifted to incorporate more positions favorable to Ukraine, though significant issues remain unresolved according to official sources, such as the Ukrainian National Security chief Rustem Umerov who noted “common understanding on the core” of the negotiations, indicating progress but acknowledging sensitivities that require direct talks between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Some European leaders remain apprehensive, stressing the need for cautious engagement and skepticism towards Russian intentions, particularly following Russian missile attacks during negotiations, according to Channel News Asia and BBC.

The plan was originally a controversial 28-point proposal criticized for heavily favoring Russian demands, including Ukrainian territorial concessions and restrictions on military size. Following backlash from Ukraine and European allies, officials have now introduced a revised 19-point version. Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya described the Geneva talks as "constructive," though he emphasized that more sensitive topics such as territorial claims remain for later discussion by Trump and Zelenskyy. Russian officials have signaled that they find some factors of the newest draft favorable yet ruled out making significant concessions, asserting their hardline stance, as articulated by Dmitry Peskov, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

Concerns persist around security guarantees for Ukraine. The evolving nature of the peace talks has raised questions regarding who will back these guarantees and how these frameworks can secure Ukraine against future aggression. Discussions involving a U.S.-backed NATO framework have been mentioned, yet the presence of real security assurances remains uncertain, as noted by various sources including Al Jazeera and BBC.

Meanwhile, drone and missile attacks continue along the eastern front, with reports of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. As Ukrainian forces strive to counter these threats amidst peace negotiations, officials highlight the urgent necessity of a comprehensive and equitable peace framework that acknowledges Ukraine's sovereignty. The ongoing violent backdrop complicates diplomatic efforts, with a notable push from European leaders to ensure that proposed agreements do not erode Ukraine's territorial integrity, as conveyed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.