Ukraine's allies made major concessions to the Kremlin last night in a desperate bid to end the three-year conflict.

As peace talks in Switzerland made progress, Britain and other states agreed to welcome Russia back into the G8 group of major global economies.

Russia was expelled from the international political forum following its annexation of Crimea in 2014, but the US has pushed for its return.

The agreement in principle was struck in Geneva where US, Ukrainian and European officials are discussing peace plans put forward by the warring partners and their supporters.

In what was regarded as a win for Ukraine, a Russian-proposed cap on the size of its armed forces was lifted from 600,000 to 800,000.

These breakthroughs followed a furious verbal attack by Donald Trump on Ukraine's political leadership and the country's allies. The US President, under criticism over an apparent capitulation to Russian peace demands, fired off a post in capital letters on social media. President Trump appeared to target Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky directly. Posting on Truth Social, he said: 'Ukraine "leadership" has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia.

'I have inherited a war that should never have happened, a war that is a loser for everyone, especially the millions of people that have so needlessly died.'

His outburst forced Ukrainian officials on to the defensive. President Zelensky's right-hand man Rustem Umerov said: 'We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns.'

The Kremlin is not represented at the negotiations. US officials are putting forward a 28-point plan agreed in secret talks with Russia that sidelined Ukraine and its European allies. The White House has given Ukraine until the US festival of Thanksgiving on Thursday to accept terms or face losing military support.

Ukraine's European partners last night published their own peace plan, which includes the country holding on to the Donbas industrial heartland and freedom to join international alliances.

The Russian 'wish list' approved by the United States says Ukraine must hand over territory and give up on joining Nato. Russia's contribution to rebuilding Ukraine would also be capped.

Britain was last night mounting a major push as the Prime Minister spoke to the US President for the second time in as many days. Downing Street said Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump discussed aspects of both peace plans intended 'to bring about a lasting peace'.

Last night it emerged that the Royal Navy had intercepted two Russian warships in the English Channel in the past fortnight.

While the lifting of a cap on the size of Ukraine's armed forces represented a breakthrough, other points are more contentious.

Vladimir Putin is adamant Ukraine should hand over the remaining territory it holds in the eastern provinces. This is a stated red line for the country and its allies, including Britain.

Ukraine also wants to retain political sovereignty, with the freedom to apply for Nato and European Union membership, rather than being forced into isolation by the Kremlin.

Last night, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the talks held between the US and Ukrainian sides had been 'probably [the] best meeting and day we've had so far in this entire process'. Mr Rubio, who is leading the US negotiating team, added: 'I feel very optimistic, we can get something done here. There's still some work to be done, but we are much further ahead today at this time than we were when we began this morning and where we were a week ago for certain.'

President Zelensky also expressed some enthusiasm. Posting on X, he said: 'There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision.'

Mr Zelensky also reiterated his gratitude towards the US for providing weaponry and intelligence.

It is considered likely Russia rejoining the G8 would be subject to the Kremlin meeting commitments in other areas, including compensating Ukraine and observing a ceasefire.

Since returning to the White House, President Trump has repeatedly criticised Ukraine's allies for purchasing Russian energy products. In September, he posted: 'They're funding the war against themselves. Who the hell ever heard of that one?'

The worst offenders are Russia's allies within Europe – Hungary and Slovakia, followed by France, the Netherlands and Belgium.

According to analysts, Russian oil accounts for 'well below five per cent' of the UK's oil imports.

Monthly oil and gas sales in Europe benefit the Kremlin by £1billion per month.

US is forced to deny that Russia was the author of its 28-point pact

US officials were forced into an embarrassing clarification last night over who wrote the 28-point Ukraine peace plan – which yields to Russia's demands.

The policy document, rejected by allies including Britain, allows Russia to gain territory and hands the Kremlin a veto over Ukraine's membership of Nato and the European Union.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed concern over the plan and reports emerged that the 28-point proposal, which Donald Trump said Ukraine has until Thursday to agree to, was a Russian draft translated into English.

US lawmakers critical of President Trump's apparent capitulation to the Kremlin's demands have now hit out at the White House over the claims.

They say that behind the scenes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had described the proposal as a Russian 'wish list', rather than a US-approved proposal.

The confusion surrounding who drew up the plan could scarcely have come at a worse time for Ukraine.

In the words of its president Volodymyr Zelensky, the country faces losing 'its dignity' or its 'major security partner'.

Mr Rubio was forced to address and reject conspiracy theories surrounding the 28-point plan – though he acknowledged Russian input. 'The peace proposal was authored by the United States. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations,' he wrote on X. 'It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine.'

President Trump's positions on major issues in the conflict have oscillated wildly since his return to the White House, adding to the confusion. Only a few weeks ago he suggested the conflict should end with the frontlines frozen, reflecting territory seized by Russia and territory defended by Ukraine.

Yet the 28-point plan demands Ukraine hand over its industrial heartland in the Donbas, despite the area being behind Ukraine's frontline. Another demand is that Ukraine dismantles its armed forces. President Trump has never previously suggested Ukraine should do this.

To the contrary, he recently encouraged Ukraine to take back Russian-held territory in its eastern provinces.

US senators from opposing sides have joined forces to condemn the plan.

Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis issued a joint statement saying: 'We will not achieve lasting peace by offering Putin concession after concession and fatally degrading Ukraine's ability to defend itself.

'History teaches us that Vladimir Putin only understands strength and will not abide by any agreement unless it is backed by force. We must consult closely with our Ukrainian and Nato partners.'