British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has challenged key elements of Donald Trump's Ukraine peace plan, saying it needs "additional work" before it can deliver a lasting resolution to the war. Speaking at the G20 summit in Johannesburg on Saturday, Starmer joined other Western leaders in expressing concerns about proposals that would limit Ukraine's military and force territorial concessions.
The pushback comes as senior US, Ukrainian and European national security advisers prepare to meet in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the 28-point framework in detail. Starmer told reporters he expects to speak with Trump "in the coming days" and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later on Saturday.
A joint statement from Western and European leaders - including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Norway, and the EU but excluding the US - described Washington's plan as "a basis which will require additional work". The signatories emphasized that "[...] borders must not be changed by force".
Military Caps Raise Alarm
Starmer voiced particular concern about reported proposals to cap Ukraine's armed forces. "We are concerned about (caps on military) because it's fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if there's a ceasefire," he said in Johannesburg.
The leaked US plan reportedly requires Ukraine to reduce its army from approximately 880,000 troops to 600,000, hand over Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk to Russia, and freeze current conflict lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. It would also limit Ukraine's path to NATO membership.
Western leaders warned these limitations "[...] would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack". The joint statement made clear that any elements relating to the EU and NATO would require the consent of their respective members.
Geneva Talks to Shape Response
UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell left the G20 summit early to head to Switzerland for Sunday's crucial meeting. He will join US envoy Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European counterparts to work through the framework's details.
"And that's why there's been the agreement that in Geneva tomorrow, you'll have senior US personnel, you'll have European NSAs, including the UK NSA, and obviously Ukrainians there to work further on the draft," Starmer explained.
Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine's response, though he suggested an extension could be possible. Starmer said the timeline should be done "as soon as possible" but stressed: "it's got to be a just and lasting peace, and so we've got to get it right."
Article 5 Guarantee Offers Hope
Despite the concerns, Starmer highlighted one positive element: the plan's inclusion of an Article 5 security guarantee - NATO's mutual defense provision under which an attack on one member constitutes an attack on the entire alliance.
"That's about the strongest guarantee that can be put forward," Starmer said. He added: "And so that fortifies in me the belief that what we're all trying to achieve here is a just and lasting peace".
The Prime Minister said his discussions with Trump on Ukraine had reinforced this view. However, he has not recently spoken with the US president ahead of Saturday's comments.
Ukraine Defends National Interests
Zelensky, in a video address to his nation, said Ukrainian representatives at the Geneva talks "know how to protect Ukrainian national interests and exactly what is needed to prevent Russia from carrying out" another invasion.
"Real peace is always based on security and justice," the Ukrainian leader emphasized.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev secretly negotiated the 28-point plan, with Kyiv and European allies excluded from the drafting process. This has fueled criticism from Ukraine's supporters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautiously welcomed the proposal on Friday, suggesting it "could form the basis of a final peace settlement".
Starmer confirmed Britain will host the G20 summit in 2027, saying it would allow the country "to shape the global agenda once again".
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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