Zelensky Demands ‘Dignified Peace’ as Geneva Talks Revive Diplomacy

President Volodymyr Zelensky said diplomacy has been “reinvigorated” after weekend talks in Geneva and stressed that any peace initiative must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

“Diplomacy has been reinvigorated – and this is good. We expect the outcome to deliver the right steps,” Zelensky shared on X.

Ukraine “has never wanted war” and “will never be an obstacle to peace,” Zelensky said, warning that a settlement must be “reliable,” “dignified,” and impossible for Russia to undermine again.

“Our first priority is a reliable peace, guaranteed security, respect for our people, and respect for everyone who gave their lives defending Ukraine,” Zelensky said, adding that millions of Ukrainians “firmly support” Kyiv’s position and its independence.

He also reiterated that “the crux of the 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.”

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he spoke with Zelensky on Monday and welcomed the progress made during the Geneva talks.

“The negotiations were a step forward, but there are still major issues which remain to be resolved,” Stubb wrote on X.

He added that any decisions related to the EU or NATO “will be discussed and decided by EU and NATO members in a separate track.”

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Zelensky thanked Stubb for his support, saying that “every joint action with our partners must be thoroughly thought out,” and that decisions must be “doable” to ensure long-term peace and security.

“Together, we will certainly safeguard our shared interests and our people,” he said.

A Ukrainian delegation met with US and European teams in Geneva on Sunday after the White House urged Kyiv to engage with a 28-point peace plan reflecting Russia’s war goals leaked last week.

Critics had warned the draft terms – territorial concessions, limits on Ukraine’s military, and a pledge never to join NATO – would effectively reward Russia for its invasion.

Following the meeting, the US and Ukraine issued a joint statement announcing the creation of a “refined peace framework,” reaffirming that any settlement “must fully uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace.”

Both sides agreed to continue intensive work in the coming days and remain in close contact with European partners. Washington said the Ukrainian delegation insisted the revised approach better reflects national interests and key strategic requirements.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American delegation, described the discussions as “very worthwhile” and “the most productive days in a very long time.”

He said Ukraine’s concerns will be included in any amendments to the initial proposal.

European allies, who were not consulted on the original draft, circulated their own counterproposals on Sunday, rejecting limits on Ukraine’s armed forces and provisions involving territorial concessions. Their plan also proposes US security guarantees modeled on NATO’s Article 5.