The leaders of 11 European states and the EU said in a joint statement today that a 28-point US plan for peace in Ukraine is a foundation that requires additional work.
The G7 and European leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg to discuss a US peace plan for the war in Ukraine. The administration of US President Donald Trump boycotted the Summit.
The initial draft of the 28-point proposal includes important elements that will be necessary for a just and lasting peace. However, we believe that the draft is a foundation that needs further work, the leaders emphasize.
We are clear on the principle that borders should not be changed by force. We are also concerned about the proposed restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces, which will make Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.
The leaders emphasize that any element related to the European Union and NATO will need their agreement.
The statement is signed by Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa for the EU, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Irish Prime Minister Michail Martin, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gaard Store.
Announcements from Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a new message to the Ukrainian people on Saturday, announcing consultations with Ukraine's partners, focusing on steps to end the war.
The Ukrainian president stated that true peace is always based on guaranteed security and justice.
Our representatives know how to protect Ukraine's national interests and what exactly is needed to prevent Russia from committing a third invasion, another blow to Ukraine,
At the same time, he announced that he had signed a decree regarding the composition of the mission that will participate in the negotiation process with the US and other international partners of Ukraine, as well as with representatives of Russia, and approved all relevant instructions.
In Switzerland, the consultations
The national security advisers of the E3 countries will meet with officials from the European Union, the United States and Ukraine in Geneva on Sunday to discuss Washington's proposed peace plan for Ukraine, officials said on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
E3 is an informal security alliance of France, Britain and Germany.
A German government source said that a European peace plan, based on the US proposal, has been sent to Ukraine and the US government.
Europe must participate
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he made it clear to US President Donald Trump that Europe must be part of any process to end the war in Ukraine during a long telephone conversation on Friday night.
"If Ukraine loses this war and potentially collapses, there will be consequences for European politics as a whole, for the entire European continent. And that is why we are so committed to this issue," Merz said after the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
