Germany and other G20 members have rejected the US plan to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. They consider the draft plan merely a starting point.
Germany and other leading supporters of Ukraine reject the US plan for an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in its current form.
Although the current draft provides a basis, further work on the plan is necessary, according to a statement released after a crisis meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit.
According to Kyiv's Western allies, this represents"additional work," several European states, as well as Canada and Japan, declared on the sidelines of the summit. They added that"the principle that borders must not be changed by force" applies: "We are also concerned about the proposed restrictions on the Ukrainian armed forces, which would make Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks."
The signatories expressed their gratitude to the US for its "efforts to bring peace to Ukraine." However, they added that"the implementation of elements affecting the European Union, as well as elements affecting NATO, requires the consent of the respective EU and NATO members."
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) emphasized that there could be no end to the war in Ukraine without its consent."Wars cannot be ended by major powers over the heads of the countries involved," he said."An end to the war is only possible with Ukraine's unconditional consent."
He confirmed that on Sunday in Geneva, the security policy advisors of Germany, France, Great Britain and other European countries would meet with their counterparts from Ukraine and the USA.
On X, Merz wrote: “Russia has unleashed an illegal war against Ukraine. Russia must end this terrible suffering and put an end to the impact on the global economy.” All G20 members must “live up to their responsibilities, not just out of economic interest.”
The US government, which has no presence in Johannesburg, presented a 28-point plan for ending the war mid-week. It demands painful concessions from Ukraine, such as ceding large areas in eastern Ukraine to Russia, limiting troop numbers, and renouncing NATO membership.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend the meeting in Geneva on Sunday, according to US sources. They are scheduled to arrive in Switzerland on the same day, a US official told Reuters. US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll has already landed in Geneva, and the Ukrainian delegations are expected to arrive in the evening, the source added. Russian participation is not planned.
