President Donald Trump initiated a new round of peace negotiations on Ukraine after Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio convinced him that a proposed 28-point plan could become a breakthrough, Axios reports, citing several administration officials.

A previously undisclosed meeting was held at the White House on November 18. According to Axios, it laid the foundation for last weekend’s talks in Geneva — discussions that gave the administration “more hope than at any point before” regarding the possibility of stopping the war.

During the Geneva negotiations, U.S. and Ukrainian representatives narrowed the list of demands from 28 to 20 points, reaching agreement on 18 of them. Two additional points have not been discussed publicly due to their sensitivity. According to Axios, these likely concern potential territorial concessions and security guarantees for Ukraine.

What Trump Proposed

At the strategic White House meeting, Trump suggested that U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll present the plan to Ukraine personally. Driscoll was already preparing to visit Kyiv to assess battlefield conditions and morale.

“Driscoll’s primary role is to provide an honest assessment of Ukraine’s military status by speaking directly with their commanders,” an official said. “One of the hardest things to evaluate is the will to fight.”

According to Axios, Vance and Rubio initiated the meeting after reviewing the plan and discussing it between themselves. The original 28-point proposal was drafted by special representative Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, using an approach similar to the one applied in U.S. negotiations on Gaza.

The Inner Circle Handling Ukraine Strategy

Regular strategy sessions on Ukraine involve:

1. Vice President J.D. Vance
2. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
3. Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
4. Special representative Steve Witkoff
5. Businessman Jared Kushner

Axios reports that this core group coordinates the development and adjustments of the peace plan.

Rumors About a Rift Between Vance and Rubio — False

After Rubio’s weekend trip to Geneva for talks with Ukraine, U.S. social media began speculating about supposed disagreements between the two officials.

Rubio publicly denied it on X, writing:

“These people aren’t just wrong — they are literally inventing news.”

Administration officials stress that Vance and Rubio operate as a single team, have worked closely together since their Senate days, and share advisors. Rubio is reportedly not considering a 2028 presidential campaign against Vance.

U.S. Position and the Stalemate With Putin

Despite advancing the plan, Trump has so far been unable to persuade Vladimir Putin to negotiate with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A White House adviser stated:

“Everyone is focused on reaching a peace deal and stopping the bloodshed. And it all started with this plan.”

Fact Check and Criticism

Axios emphasizes that:

1. Russia initiated the war in Ukraine;
2. Putin shows no genuine willingness to engage in real negotiations;
3. Russian forces continue striking Ukraine’s infrastructure amid winter;
4. Russia loses up to 7,000 soldiers per week, according to U.S. estimates.

Ukrainian officials, European leaders, and Trump critics have slammed the proposed plan, arguing that it grants Russia concessions it does not deserve.