EU leaders said they welcome US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, but Washington’s peace plan needs more work.
“The initial draft of the 28-point plan contains important elements that will be necessary to achieve a just and lasting peace. Therefore, we believe that this draft is a framework that requires additional work. We stand ready to join the process to ensure the sustainability of future peace. We clearly adhere to the principle that borders cannot be changed by force,” the released statement said.
The EU is also concerned about the proposed restrictions on Ukraine’s armed forces, which could leave the country vulnerable to future attacks.
EU leaders stressed that the implementation of the European Union and NATO elements would require the consent of EU and NATO members respectively.
Also in the statement, the EU emphasises its continued support for Ukraine.
As Western publications reported, the US peace plan was prepared with the participation of Russian representatives, Europe and Ukraine were not involved in the development of the plan.
US President Donald Trump said that next Thursday, 27 November, is the right time for Kiev to accept the US-backed peace proposal to end the war Russia is waging against Ukraine.
Before that, on 21 November, Reuters, citing two sources with knowledge of the situation, reported that Donald Trump’s administration threatened to cut off intelligence and arms sales to Ukraine if Kiev did not sign the US-backed peace deal.
Radio Liberty has a draft text of the US peace plan. Among other things, the draft envisages holding elections in Ukraine 100 days after the signing of the agreement. It also stipulates that Ukraine must enshrine non-alignment and rejection of NATO in its constitution (and the alliance must also declare this), and the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be limited – by how much is not specified. But according to other media reports, there is talk of limiting it to 600,000 military personnel.
On the evening of 21 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a 10-minute video address in which he called the current events “one of the most difficult moments in our history.”
“Now the pressure on Ukraine is one of the most difficult. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either a difficult 28 points or an extremely hard winter – the hardest winter ever – and further risks. A life without freedom, without dignity, without justice. And for us to believe someone who has attacked twice already,” he said.
Russia has said it is ready for peace talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow had received a 28-point U.S. plan on Ukraine, which he said “can be the basis for a final peace settlement.”