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European officials expressed cautious optimism on Monday regarding the recent Geneva talks on a U.S.-proposed peace plan for Ukraine, acknowledging progress while emphasizing that significant challenges remain. The discussions, held in Switzerland, centered on a 28-point proposal presented by the United States, which has sparked concern in Kyiv and European capitals due to its perceived favoritism toward Russia. The plan reportedly urges Ukraine to cede territory to Moscow, reduce its military size, and abandon aspirations for NATO membership—a contentious point given NATO’s previous commitment to Ukraine’s eventual inclusion.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb described the negotiations as a ‘step forward’ but highlighted unresolved issues in a post on social media platform X. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, facing mounting domestic and military pressures, welcomed the diplomatic efforts, calling them ‘very good.’ However, the path to peace remains fraught with uncertainty. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Russian officials had yet to review the revised plan and confirmed no immediate plans for further U.S.-Russia talks, though Moscow remains open to dialogue.

German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadephul praised U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s role in the talks, particularly his efforts to address European and Ukrainian concerns. Rubio described the discussions as the most productive in ‘a very long time,’ expressing optimism about reaching a resolution. Meanwhile, Turkey continues to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan set to discuss the 2022 Black Sea grain deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The agreement, which allowed Ukraine to export grain safely, collapsed last year after Moscow accused the West of failing to honor related commitments.

Despite diplomatic efforts, the war’s grim reality persists. Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killed four people and injured 13, including children. The attacks damaged residential buildings, an educational facility, and power lines, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Ukraine’s air force reported 162 Russian drones fired overnight, with Romania scrambling fighter jets in response to incursions near its border. The juxtaposition of diplomatic progress and relentless violence highlights the complex and fragile nature of the conflict.

Ukraine’s frontline soldiers have expressed a range of emotions—defiance, anger, and resignation—in response to the draft US peace proposals. The BBC gathered insights from several soldiers via social media and email, revealing a deeply divided reaction to the plan, details of which were leaked last week. American and Ukrainian negotiators have since been revising the proposals, with ongoing discussions about the ‘peace framework.’

Yaroslav, a soldier in eastern Ukraine, criticized the plan as ‘sucks… no one will support it,’ while an army medic with the call sign Shtutser labeled it an ‘absolutely disgraceful draft of a peace plan, unworthy of our attention.’ However, another soldier, Snake, argued that ‘it’s time to agree at least on something.’

The US proposal comes as Russia makes significant battlefield advances, with Ukraine losing 450 sq km in the past month alone. Kyiv still controls about 15% of the Donbas region, a key war goal for Russia. The US plan suggests Ukraine cede the entire region, including areas it has defended for nearly four years. Snake commented, ‘Let them take it… We’re not fighting for the people but for the land, while losing more people.’ Andrii, an officer in Ukraine’s general staff, acknowledged the proposal as ‘painful and difficult’ but suggested Ukraine may have no alternative.

Ukraine has defended the Donbas since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and its proxy forces seized parts of the region. Andrii noted, ‘We may not want to give it up, but we won’t be able to hold it by military force and resources.’ Matros, a soldier since 2018, argued that relinquishing the Donbas would ‘nullify everything—all the efforts of the armed forces’ and ‘disregard the lives of fallen soldiers and civilians.’

The US draft also proposes limiting Ukraine’s armed forces to 600,000, down from the current estimate of over 800,000. Snake questioned the need for such a large peacetime army, stating, ‘What’s the point of having so many people in the army if there will be security guarantees?’ Andrii agreed, emphasizing that Ukraine’s economy would struggle to sustain such forces post-war.

However, Shtutser and Matros opposed the reduction, with Shtutser calling the army ‘the only thing separating us from defeat and enslavement.’ The plan rules out Ukraine’s NATO membership but not EU membership, offering US security guarantees if Russia attacks again. Yevhen, a drone operator, supported the UK and France’s ‘Coalition of the Willing’ to provide a ‘reassurance force’ in Ukraine.

Andrii expressed skepticism about Europe’s ability to offer security guarantees, stating, ‘Europe has turned out to be completely spineless and divided.’ Shtutser also doubted US guarantees under the current administration. The draft proposes fresh elections within 100 days post-war, a move supported by soldiers like Snake, Marin, and Andrii, who called for a ‘complete reset of government.’

Despite some support for elections, the overall sentiment among soldiers is one of exhaustion and skepticism. Andrii concluded, ‘If it stops the war, then it works for me.’