Progress made on plan for Ukraine, officials say

The 28-point proposal from Washington was thoroughly discussed, one advisor reports.

- By Barry HaTTon AND ISOBEL Koshiw

RESCUE workers clear the rubble of a house destroyed in a Russian strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, late Sunday.

(Andrii Marienko Associated Press)

Officials on Monday said progress was made in urgent weekend talks on amending the U.S. peace proposal for Ukraine that many saw as favoring Russia, but the Kremlin said it hadn't seen the changes.

Washington’s 28-point plan presented last week caused alarm by heavily aligning with Moscow’s demands in the nearly four-year war caused by its invasion. The plan pressed Ukraine to hand over some territory to Russia and reduce its army. It also sought Europe’s agreement that Ukraine will never be admitted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

An advisor to Ukraine's president who attended the talks in Geneva between U.S. and Ukrainian officials told the AP they managed to discuss almost all the plan's points, and one unresolved issue is that of territory, which can be decided only at the head of state level. Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions.

Oleksandr Bevz also said the U.S. showed “great openness and understanding” that security guarantees are the cornerstone of any agreement for Ukraine. He said the U.S. would continue working on the plan, then the leaders of Ukraine and the U.S. will meet. After that, the plan would be presented to Russia.

Bevz would not say what if any compromises Ukraine made in the talks, and added that “everyone arrived stressed.”