US and Russia discuss revised Ukraine peace plan in Abu Dhabi

WISE NEWS PRESS / ABU DHABI, UAE — Nov. 25, 2025

US and Russian officials have convened in Abu Dhabi to negotiate a revised peace plan for Ukraine, following significant amendments to US President Donald Trump’s initial proposal that have reportedly drawn cautious optimism from Kyiv.

The high-stakes meeting in the United Arab Emirates comes just a day after intense mutual drone strikes, with Ukrainian officials reporting six deaths in Kyiv and Russian authorities confirming three civilian casualties. The talks aim to solidify a framework that European allies have helped reshape to better protect Ukraine's sovereignty while addressing Russian security demands.

From Geneva to Abu Dhabi: A shifting strategy

The Abu Dhabi session follows a critical meeting in Geneva on Nov. 23, where US and Ukrainian representatives reviewed President Trump’s original "28-point plan." Following these discussions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed satisfaction with the changes made to the draft.

"Now the necessary steps to end the war have become possible. Many correct elements have been added to this framework," Zelensky stated.

European allies reportedly played a key role in drafting a new version of the plan, rejecting clauses that would have cemented Russian war goals. The revised proposal, now said to contain 19 points, is the subject of the current discussions between Washington and Moscow.

Key details of the proposed peace framework

According to reports, the updated plan includes significant shifts from earlier drafts, offering Ukraine more robust security guarantees while managing Russian red lines:

• NATO Membership: Ukraine could join NATO if all member states approve, replacing an earlier clause that ruled out membership entirely.

• Security Guarantees: The US may provide Ukraine with assurances similar to NATO's Article 5, treating an attack on Ukraine as an attack on the alliance.

• Military Strength: The Ukrainian army would be capped at 800,000 personnel, an increase from the initial proposal of 600,000.

• Territory: Ukraine would pledge not to retake lost territory through military means, focusing instead on diplomatic negotiations. This replaces the initial language that accepted occupied regions as "de facto Russian territory."

• Troop Presence: NATO would not station "permanent" troops in Ukraine.

Transatlantic friction and Russian stance

Despite progress with Kyiv, the plan has caused friction across the Atlantic. European politicians have accused the Trump administration of ignoring European security concerns. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied allegations of pro-Kremlin bias, stating, "The idea that the United States is not engaging with both sides equally to end this war is a complete fallacy."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on Nov. 25 that the revised plan still retains the "spirit" of the understanding reached between Trump and Putin at a previous summit in Alaska.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with Vladimir Putin on Monday. According to the Kremlin, Putin acknowledged that the US proposal could form the basis of a peace deal, while Erdoğan reiterated Turkey's readiness to host negotiations in Istanbul.

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