Sir Keir Starmer and 12 other European leaders have raised serious concerns about a US-drafted peace plan for Ukraine, warning it "will require additional work" to adequately protect Kyiv from future Russian aggression.
The joint statement, issued Saturday at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, welcomed American peace efforts but expressed alarm over proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces. The leaders stressed that "borders must not be changed by force" and warned the military restrictions could leave Ukraine "vulnerable to future attack."
The 28-point plan was reportedly negotiated in secret between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev. Ukraine and European allies were excluded from the drafting process.
Major Concessions Required
The plan demands significant Ukrainian concessions: surrendering territory defended since February 2022, reducing its military to 600,000 troops, and abandoning its path to NATO membership. In return, sanctions on Russia would be lifted and Moscow would be reintegrated into the global economy.
The signatories included France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Ireland, and the EU Commission and Council. Starmer held 25-minute talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German leader Friedrich Merz before the meeting expanded to include other G7 and G20 leaders.
Pressure and Deadlines
US President Donald Trump told Fox News Radio on Friday he wants Ukraine's response by Thursday, though suggested an extension could be possible. He indicated President Volodymyr Zelensky "is going to have to approve it."
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautiously welcomed the proposal Friday, saying it «could form the basis of a final peace settlement». But he noted the plan had not been discussed with Russia "in any substantive way," assuming this was because Washington had not secured Ukrainian consent.
Zelensky warned in a video address Friday that Ukraine faces «one of the most difficult moments» in its history, caught between «losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner».
Next Steps
US and Ukrainian officials are expected to hold talks in Geneva on Sunday, with national security advisers from the UK, France, and Germany also attending.
The European leaders' statement made clear that «the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to Nato would need the consent of EU and Nato members respectively». They pledged to «continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and the US over the coming days».
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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