Europe is critical of the latest peace plan for Ukraine that Washington and Moscow are reportedly negotiating in silence. The plan, which was leaked to American media this week and is still under development, would demand far-reaching concessions from Kyiv and was drawn up outside Europe.
The US would put pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a 28-point peace plan. Russia would be allowed to keep Crimea and the conquered areas in eastern Ukraine, plus be allocated areas that it has not yet conquered. Ukraine would also have to give up long-range weapons that can carry out attacks deep into Russia. The Ukrainian army would be halved. Western soldiers should also not be stationed in Ukraine. France and the United Kingdom are working on a guarantee force that should provide Ukraine with the certainty that Russia will not attack again over time.
European Foreign Ministers reacted cautiously, but very skeptically, when they sat down in Brussels on Thursday for regular consultations in which Ukraine was also on the agenda. After all, the plan was not officially announced and there was uncertainty about its exact contents. Minister David van Weel said afterwards that his Ukrainian colleague, who participated via video link, was “not included in the plan” and therefore kept a low profile during the meeting.
Lasting peace
The lack of clarity did not prevent European ministers from making it clear once again how they view peace talks, just to be sure. “Peace cannot be a capitulation,” said French minister Jean-Noël Barrot. “Ukrainians want peace – a just peace that respects everyone’s sovereignty, a lasting peace that cannot be threatened by future aggression.”
His Polish counterpart Radoslav Sikorski said that Ukraine, a victim in the conflict, should not be prevented from defending itself. German Minister Johann Wadephul underlined that a ceasefire must first be reached, without preconditions. Only then can honest negotiations begin that can lead to lasting peace. Van Weel: “What remains important: pressure on Russia, support for Ukraine.”
What remains important: pressure on Russia, support for Ukraine
EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas also emphasized that pressure should not be exerted on Ukraine, but rather on Russia, which started the war, is guilty of aggression against Ukrainian citizens and has not shown any willingness to make concessions or serious consultations in recent months. She also pointed out that 26 Ukrainian civilians have been killed in recent bombings. “A peace plan can only succeed if it has the support of Ukraine and Europe.”
The White House has not officially said anything about the plan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio merely stated at X that the United States is drawing up a list of ideas and is listening to all parties.
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A delegation of senior American soldiers is in Kyiv this week and is also expected to meet with President Zelensky. Zelensky himself visited Turkey this week, which previously helped mediate and is happy to host peace talks.
Startling twist
The new plan is yet another startling twist in Trump’s efforts to end Putin’s war in Ukraine. One moment he looks like he is in favor of Ukraine, and then he turns his ear to Russia. If Russia is then unwilling to make concessions, Trump will return to Ukraine. Last month, Trump canceled a summit with Putin in Budapest because Russia had no intention of serious negotiations. The latest plan, judging by American revelations, is again a bow to Putin.
Trump wants a peace deal that rewards Putin and punishes Ukraine
The plan was drawn up by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the Russian Kirill Dmitriev, director of the Russian sovereign wealth fund RDIF. He is considered a confidant of Putin. Some analysts have suggested the plan was hatched without Trump’s input. Philips O’Brien, historian and author of a widely read blog about war, doesn’t believe that. The new plan is a real Trump plan, he wrote on Thursday.
“Trump wants a peace deal that rewards Putin and punishes Ukraine,” O’Brien said. “He wants a deal without European input that he can force on Ukraine. He wants to return to a normal relationship with Putin as quickly as possible and make money. He does not care about democracy and freedom. He wants to work with a dictatorship. […] It is evil and disheartening.”
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