Ukraine’s military became a topic in the peace-process discussions after the initial U.S.-backed peace proposal — influenced by Russia’s position during indirect contacts — suggested changes to the size of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
In Geneva talks, convened to amend some plan's points, Kyiv stressed that no downsizing was discussed and that Ukraine’s security cannot rely on concessions written to satisfy Moscow.
“It was not about reducing the Armed Forces," Hnatov explained.
"It was about views concerning the structure and size of the military in peacetime. That is a very debatable topic.”
Hnatov highlighted that Kyiv and Washington share the same understanding: the best security guarantee for Ukraine remains a well-equipped and capable army.
He added that the final vision for Ukraine’s post-war military structure will also determine the approach to motivating service members to remain in the army after the active phase of the war ends.
According to him, this is a complex task that requires participation from all state institutions:
“We need to understand what Ukraine’s future military will look like — its size, compensation, social protections for service members, and many other issues. That work is not solely within the General Staff’s authority.”
Hnatov said the General Staff has already formed an initial vision for the future model of the army, and the relevant document is now being refined.
On Nov. 23, U.S. and Ukrainian delegations held talks in Geneva (Switzerland) on a peace plan to end the war. In a joint statement, the countries announced that the delegations had prepared an updated framework document for a peace settlement.
That same day, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov said the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations had “reached a shared understanding of the key terms of the agreement discussed in Geneva.” According to him, Kyiv is now waiting for Europe’s support and preparing for President Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States later this week to finalize details with U.S. President Donald Trump.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for his part, said the Ukrainian team that returned from Geneva had “provided a full report and an updated framework document.”
“Communication with the American side continues, and I am grateful for all of America’s efforts and personally to President Trump,” he stressed.
Politico, citing a senior U.S .official, reported that U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, who is now in Abu Dhabi, will present to the Russian delegation a peace framework agreed on Nov. 23, by the United States and Ukraine.