Zelensky’s backers realise they have no seat in Trump-Putin talks after pouring billions into Kyiv

As fresh peace talks unfold in Geneva, Poland’s Undersecretary of State Michal Baranowski pushed back against claims that Europe has been sidelined in negotiations over Ukraine’s future. Speaking in Brussels, he insisted the EU remains Ukraine’s biggest financial and military backer — and that no “stable and just peace” is possible without European involvement. The remarks come amid rising tensions around a US-backed 28-point peace plan that reportedly includes major concessions from Ukraine, from territorial compromises to limits on NATO membership. European officials hinted at a rival proposal, but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he has seen no alternative from the EU. Meanwhile, Donald Trump escalated pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of showing “zero gratitude” and warning that he expects a deal by US Thanksgiving. Russia, for its part, claims it has received no formal update on the Geneva negotiations.