GENEVA (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was expected in Geneva on Sunday for talks with Ukraine and its European allies on the latest U.S.-proposed peace plan for the war-torn country.

Ukraine’s Western allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favoring Moscow despite its all-out invasion of its neighbor.

The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, and will be bolstered by representatives from France, Germany and the U.K. Apart from Rubio, others in the U.S. delegation are expected to include Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the U.S. to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals, with Zelenskyy saying his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs.

The plan acquiesces to many Russian demands that Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his people“will always defend” their home.

Speaking before Sunday’s talks, Alice Rufo, France’s minister delegate at the Defense Ministry, told broadcaster France Info that key points of discussion would include the plan’s restrictions on the Ukrainian army, which she described as “a limitation on its sovereignty.”

“Ukraine must be able to defend itself,” she said. “Russia wants war and waged war many times in fact over the past years.”

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said the U.S. proposal was not his “final offer.”

“I would like to get to peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened,” Trump said. “One way or the other, we have to get it ended.”

Trump didn’t explain what he meant by the plan not being his final offer and the White House didn’t respond to a request for clarification.

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Associated Press writers Claudia Ciobanu in Warsaw, Poland and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.

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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Teachers fended off a grizzly bear that attacked a school group walking along a trail in British Columbia, Canada, on Thursday, officials said.

“The group had stopped along a trail near the community when a grizzly bear emerged from the forest and attacked,” Insp. Kevin Van Damme of British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service, said in an update on social media. “Teachers successfully repelled the bear using pepper spray and a bear banger.”

Eleven people were injured in the attack, including students in the fourth and fifth grade, according to CBC News.

Two were in critical condition, two in serious condition and the other seven were treated at the scene, the British Columbia Health Services said.

STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS AMERICANS IN JAPAN AS DEADLY BEAR ATTACKS KILL 13 PEOPLE SINCE APRIL: ‘BE DILIGENT’

The incident happened in Bella Coola, a town more than 400 miles north of Vancouver.

The victims were taken to Bella Coola Hospital and were being transferred to Vancouver for further care, Van Damme said.

Officials were still searching for the bear as of Friday, who they believe may have been previously injured.

HIKER’S FRIEND WATCHES IN HORROR AS BROWN BEAR DRAGS MAN INTO BUSHES ON MOUNTAIN: REPORT

“We recognize this incident is distressing for the community. We are in close contact with the Nuxalk Nation as our investigation continues. We thank them for their collaborative efforts to ensure community awareness and shared safety information,” Van Damme said. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.”

Tamara Davidson, British Columbia’s Minister of Environment and Parks, called the teachers who fought off the bear “true heroes,” adding that they were well-prepared, according to the Guardian.

By&nbspEuronews

Published on
23/11/2025 – 7:00 GMT+1

As Europe Today prepares to launch, we turn to one of the journalists driving this new Euronews chapter. Starting Monday, Méabh Mc Mahon, one of Euronews’ most recognisable faces and a prominent figure in the Brussels media scene, will co-host the network’s new flagship morning show alongside Maria Tadeo.

A Brussels-based TV journalist with more than 15 years of experience, Méabh has reported on the EU and global affairs from the Brexit vote to the Brussels terrorist attacks. She has extensive experience as a field reporter and has travelled across the continent from Kyiv to Lisbon, often with just a mojo kit for broadcasting.

Speaking five languages, she previously served as a live correspondent for France24 before joining Euronews in 2018. She has interviewed global leaders, moderated major Euronews events and anchored the much-loved “Brussels, My Love?” — now a successful podcast she will continue to host as Chief Anchor.

Known for her “firm but fair” questioning and her deep knowledge of European politics, she now brings her sharp, authoritative voice to Europe Today. So, what can viewers expect from this new morning programme? Let’s hear from her.

Méabh, you’re going back to morning television. What can we expect on Monday from Europe Today?

“Expect sharp analysis, trust-worthy news updates and engaging content and guests. As a natural morning person, you can count on good humour too and great banter between myself and my exceptional co-host Maria Tadeo. With the ultimatum set by President Donald Trump for Ukraine, a lot is at stake next week for one of the most important moments in Europe’s history and a story we care deeply about at Euronews. We will try to make sense of it all to our viewers.”

Apart from Europe Today, where else can we find you on Euronews?

“You can also find me on Euronews’ brand new debating show “The Ring” which aims to bring European Parliament debates to your sitting room. Viewers already told us they love this new informative but entertaining format so it is a pleasure to be part of the great team. And once a week, I am producing and hosting a podcast version of “Brussels, my love?” – which can bring you up to speed on the week in European politics. As someone who cares deeply about the challenges and threats facing the EU, I am pleased to be able to keep listeners informed with this friendly format.”

What names do you want to have on Europe Today?

“You can expect the big European players that are shaping Europe today to be regulars on Europe Today. Just like on national TV broadcasters, we will be joined by Commissioners, key MEPs, government ministers, CEOs and more. With our global outreach on TV, online and on social media, and the multi-lingual element of this show, there is no other way to share a message so quickly than on this brand new daily morning show. With so much at stake for the EU now and its attempt to stay relevant in these turbulent times, it is important for European leaders to speak to their voters and become regular faces on shows like Europe Today. Having interviewed Anthony Blinken just before the full scale war in Ukraine started, I am eager to speak to Marco Rubio as he has moved from a more traditional Republican with a very hawkish position on Russia to the more transactional ideological flexibility of President Trump.”