KYIV and LONDON — The Ukrainian government announced on Saturday that it will begin consultations aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. This comes in response to a new peace proposal put forth by the United States.

The Office of the President of Ukraine stated that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved the delegation and directives for upcoming talks. "We anticipate constructive work and are ready to advance as swiftly as possible to achieve a real peace," the president's office said in a social media statement.

The statement emphasized Ukraine's desire for peace, asserting, "Ukraine never wanted this war and will make every effort to end it with a dignified peace." It also noted that Ukraine would not obstruct peace efforts and would defend the interests of its people and European security.

Rustem Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, added that high-ranking officials from Ukraine and the United States will begin discussions on potential parameters for a future peace agreement in Switzerland.

Earlier this week, the White House presented a 28-point peace plan to Kyiv, developed in coordination with Moscow. This plan has been met with skepticism in Ukraine, as it includes conditions perceived as demanding Ukraine's capitulation.

U.S. Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll and Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George led a senior American delegation to Kyiv on Wednesday. A U.S. official confirmed that the delegation was briefed on the new peace plan. This visit marks the highest-level U.S. military delegation to Ukraine since President Donald Trump took office in January.

In a Friday evening address, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's commitment to peace, stating, "Since the first days of the war, we have taken one, extremely simple position: Ukraine needs peace. And a real peace — one that will not be broken by a third invasion."

Driscoll met with Zelenskyy for an hour on Thursday to discuss a collaborative approach to achieving peace in Ukraine. A U.S. official described the plan as comprehensive, but it reportedly includes demands that Ukraine has previously rejected. These include significant reductions to Ukraine's armed forces, ceding territory not currently occupied by Russia, and restrictions on long-range weapons. Additionally, the plan would allow Moscow to retain most of the territory it has occupied and recognize its 2014 annexation of Crimea.