US Media: Europe Preparing Counter-Plan to US Peace Initiative in Ukraine
Tehran - BORNA - Following the revelation of the plan that requires Ukraine to make significant concessions to Russia, statements from European leaders and ministers indicate a growing concern that the United States might negotiate directly with Moscow, marginalizing other European countries. Furthermore, there is concern that the US could pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a deal that may be unfavorable for Kyiv.
The American media outlet reported that European Union leaders are attempting to formulate an independent plan to end the war in Ukraine, a plan that they believe offers better terms for Kyiv.
According to The Wall Street Journal, European politicians are trying to persuade Ukraine to support the draft of this plan, but Kyiv has not yet officially committed to it.
The report states: "Europe hopes the plan will be ready within the next few days, but Ukraine has not yet committed to joining it."
The publication added that by drafting this new plan, Europe may also intend to express its dissatisfaction with the US proposal. The report indicates that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to discuss Washington's initiative with European officials.
In private conversations, European leaders have described US President Donald Trump's plan as the "complete surrender of Ukraine" and have stated that they will use their contacts in Washington to try and dissuade the US administration from pursuing this plan.
Concerns Over US-Russia Consultation and Plan Details
The US and Russian officials reportedly coordinated a joint plan to end the war in Ukraine. The United States consulted with Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev during its formulation. After meeting with Dmitriev, the plan was also presented to Ukraine's National Security Advisor, Rustem Umerov.
António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced on Friday that the EU has not yet officially received the US plan for Ukraine, which Washington intends to discuss at the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Costa said at a press conference in Johannesburg: "We have not formally received any plan in the European Union." Von der Leyen explained: "A 28-point plan has been announced. We will discuss the situation on the sidelines of the G20 summit with European leaders and with leaders here." She added: "I will also call President Zelensky to talk about this matter."
Johannes Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, stated that he does not see the US 28-point proposal as a final plan to end Russia's war against Ukraine, but rather as a "list of issues that require urgent discussion between Ukraine and Russia." Wadephul emphasized to reporters in Brussels today: "Germany's position is Europe's position, and that means we support Ukraine." He added: "It will be Ukraine that decides what concessions to make, and Russia must make similar decisions... We are not the referee here, but we are defending Ukraine because it defends its own freedom and our freedom in Europe."
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, also revealed that European leaders had not been formally informed of the potential settlement plan and described parts of the proposal as problematic. Mitsotakis told Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait at the New Economy Forum in Singapore that the reported elements in the proposal "are very problematic in relation to Ukraine ceding territory."
Mitsotakis added: "We have made it absolutely clear that no agreement can exist without Ukraine. And of course, Europeans must be part of any discussion regarding future security arrangements for Europe."
US Position and Plan Concessions
On Thursday, the Ukrainian President officially received the draft plan from the US and is scheduled to discuss it with Trump soon. The full text of the 28-point US peace plan, which Washington is asking Ukraine and Russia to sign in the near future, has now been publicly released.
A senior White House official, speaking to The Wall Street Journal, confirmed that the plan is "tough" for Ukraine but claimed that Washington believes the war must end, otherwise "Ukraine will likely lose more territory."
According to the leaked draft proposal, Trump's plan to end the war in Ukraine includes ceding territory to Russia and reducing the size of Kyiv's army. The proposal would also prevent future NATO expansion, which is considered a major victory for Moscow, as it views the alliance as a potential threat.
End Article