U.S., Ukraine call Geneva talks "constructive" while possible Zelensky visit is under discussion

U.S. and Ukrainian delegations concluded their first round of talks over U.S. newly proposed 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday, with both sides describing the discussions as "constructive" while signaling that delicate issues remain unresolved.

The meeting was held at the residence of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

In a joint statement released by the White House, the two sides said they had updated and refined a draft agreement and would continue consultations in the coming days while maintaining close communication with European partners.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after the talks that President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may meet soon to advance the discussions.

When asked whether Trump's request for Ukraine to accept the plan by November 27 constituted a deadline, Rubio said he remained optimistic about reaching a deal within a "very reasonable timeframe," but indicated that the date was not definitive.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, described the talks as productive.

Zelensky later stated in a video posted on social media that there were signs the U.S. delegation was listening to Ukraine’s concerns. He emphasized that any measures aimed at ending the conflict must be realistic and capable of ensuring lasting security.

Meanwhile, discussions are underway regarding a potential visit by Zelensky to the U.S. as soon as this week, according to Reuters.

Sources said the goal would be for the two presidents to directly address the most sensitive elements of the plan, including territorial matters. No date has been confirmed for the possible trip.

Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan includes concessions of large amounts of Ukrainian land to Russia and a cap on the size of Ukraine's military.

Ukraine will have to give up Crimea and the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. They will be recognized as de facto Russian territory and recognized by the United States.

The size of the Ukrainian army will be limited to 600,000 personnel. Ukraine will commit to not joining NATO and will enshrine that in its constitution. Also, NATO will never admit Ukraine as a member and NATO will not station troops in Ukraine.

The plan calls for Russia to agree to 100 billion dollars of its frozen assets to be invested in U.S.-led efforts to rebuild Ukraine.

U.S., Ukraine call Geneva talks "constructive" while possible Zelensky visit is under discussion

U.S., Ukraine call Geneva talks "constructive" while possible Zelensky visit is under discussion

U.S., Ukraine call Geneva talks "constructive" while possible Zelensky visit is under discussion

The price of aluminum, a key industrial metal used in automotive manufacturing, construction and packaging, has been climbing as production cuts in the Gulf region, logistical constraints and Iranian attacks on two regional producers over the weekend tightened supply.

On March 31, the benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) three-month price for aluminum rose to 3,535 U.S. dollars per metric ton, a year-on-year increase of around 40 percent.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday that they launched missile and drone strikes on aluminum plants in Bahrain and the UAE that are linked to the U.S. military and aerospace industries, in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iranian steel factories.

Emirates Global Aluminium issued a statement saying that its Al Taweela site in the Khalifa Economic Zone in Abu Dhabi was severely damaged after Iranian strikes, with some employees injured.

Aluminum Bahrain confirmed in a statement on Sunday that some of its facilities were struck by Iranian attacks, resulting in injuries to two employees.

The two aluminum plants have a combined annual output of 3.2 million tons, more than half of the approximately 6 million tons of aluminum produced every year by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.

The region is a key source of aluminum supply, accounting for about 9 percent of global production.

Goldman Sachs on Tuesday raised its LME aluminum price forecast from 3,200 U.S. dollars to 3,450 U.S. dollars per ton for the second quarter of 2026 after the attacks on the facilities.

Goldman Sachs also predicted a global primary aluminum market supply deficit of 570,000 tons in 2026, a sharp turnaround from its previous forecast of a 550,000-ton surplus.

Analysts point out that the aluminum market is currently facing multiple shocks, with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, aluminum production facilities in the Gulf damaged or even shut down, and production in other parts of the world currently limited.

The impact will also spread to downstream enterprises in the coming months, with higher-cost aluminum alloys, primarily used in the aerospace, automotive, and construction industries, facing the most constrained supply, analysts said.

The Gulf region has long been a significant source of these high-end products, particularly for the European market, and also supplies manufacturers in the United States.

Aluminum prices climb as effects of Middle East tensions spread through global economy