Russia-Ukraine War Inches Toward Closure as Ukraine Accepts Trump-Backed Peace Deal
Ukraine has formally agreed to the core terms of a U.S.-brokered peace plan that could bring an end to the long-running war with Russia, a major breakthrough announced Tuesday by U.S. officials involved in the negotiations.
“The Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal,” said Army Secretary Dan Driscoll during an interview with ABC News. “There are some minor details to be sorted out, but they have agreed to a peace deal.” His statement marks the most definitive confirmation yet that Ukraine is prepared to finalize an agreement under the Trump administration’s framework.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that optimism, saying in a post to X, “Over the past week, the United States has made tremendous progress toward a peace deal by bringing both Ukraine and Russia to the table. There are a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details that must be sorted out.”
U.S. officials held high-level talks with the Russian delegation late Monday and into Tuesday, aiming to resolve the final sticking points. Secretary Driscoll, who has taken a lead role in the direct negotiations, is currently stationed in the United Arab Emirates, where the talks are taking place.
Driscoll’s spokesman, LTC Jeff Tolbert, confirmed that “Secretary Driscoll and team have been in discussions with the Russian delegation to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine. The talks are going well and we remain optimistic.” Tolbert added that the secretary remains “closely synchronized” with President Donald Trump and the broader interagency effort.
The Ukrainian delegation is also present in the UAE and remains in ongoing contact with the U.S. negotiating team, according to U.S. officials speaking to Fox News.
The major announcement follows weekend meetings in Geneva, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio said talks had reached their most promising point to date.
“There are a couple issues that we need to continue to work on. But… it was probably the most productive day we have had on this issue, maybe in the entirety of our engagement,” Rubio told reporters on Sunday.
President Trump struck a cautious but hopeful tone in a Truth Social post on Monday, writing, “Is it really possible that big progress is being made in Peace Talks between Russia and Ukraine??? Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
While the exact revised terms of the peace agreement have not been released, prior reports indicated the original 28-point U.S. framework was scaled back after resistance from Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that the plan was now more realistic and dignified, noting that “the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable.”
If finalized, the deal would mark a dramatic diplomatic win for the Trump administration and the clearest sign yet that a negotiated end to the war could be imminent. All eyes now turn to Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to publicly confirm acceptance of the updated terms.