Western Powers Applaud Progress in Ukraine Peace Talks

Western officials say they're feeling optimistic after weekend talks in Geneva about American peace proposals for Ukraine. But they're keeping details under wraps and warning that any path to peace will be a long one.

President Donald Trump hinted Monday that things might be moving in the right direction. Writing on his Truth Social platform, he said: "Is it really possible that major progress could be made in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine? Don't believe it until you see it, but something positive might actually be happening."

The Geneva meetings focused on a 28-point peace plan that the US put forward last week. The American delegation was led by Secretary of State, while Ukraine's team was headed by Andriy Yermak, the president's chief of staff.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, commenting on Sunday's meeting, called the negotiations "a step forward" but added that "major issues still need to be resolved."

Here's where it gets interesting: These talks represent the first concrete American peace initiative since Trump took office. The 28-point proposal suggests the US is taking a more hands-on approach to ending a conflict that has dragged on for nearly three years.

But the cautious tone from all sides shows just how complex this situation remains. Ukraine has consistently said it won't accept any deal that gives Russia permanent control over occupied territories. Russia, meanwhile, has demanded Ukraine essentially surrender and accept Moscow's terms.

For markets, any genuine progress toward peace could reshape energy prices and global trade routes. European defense stocks have surged during the war, while energy markets have remained volatile due to sanctions on Russian oil and gas.

The fact that talks are happening in Geneva - neutral ground - and that both sides are staying quiet about specifics suggests this might be more serious than previous diplomatic efforts. Previous peace talks collapsed quickly, often in public disputes about preconditions.