Ukraine‘s European allies and Japan voiced their concern over a U.S. peace plan ahead of a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss an end to the war.
A joint statement signed by 14 of Ukraine’s allies adopted a cautious tone towards the controversial U.S. peace plan, voicing appreciation for Washington’s efforts and beginning with praise that the initial draft “includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace.”
“We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work,” the statement read. “We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.”
“We reiterate that the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to NATO would need the consent of EU and NATO members respectively,” it continued, adding that they will “continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and the US over the coming days.”
The peace plan was first revealed on Tuesday, including terms such as a commitment by Ukraine to not join NATO, the ceding of the entire Donbass region, a freezing of the frontlines in Kherson and Zaporozhye oblasts, a cap on the size of Ukraine’s military at 600,000 soldiers, and the reintegration of Russia into the global economy. The U.S. gave Ukraine a Thanksgiving deadline to accept the deal or lose U.S. support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the ultimatum as one of the most difficult decisions in Ukraine’s history.
“The pressure on Ukraine is now at its most intense. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner, or 28 difficult points, or an extremely harsh winter,” he said in a video address on Friday.
Zelensky and Vance discussed the 28-point peace plan in an hour-long phone call on Friday, ultimately agreeing to hold an in-person summit in Geneva on Sunday between officials from the U.K., France, Germany, the U.S., and Ukraine. The U.S. delegation is expected to be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, Axios reported.
The Ukrainian delegation will be led by the controversial head of the Ukrainian president’s office, Andriy Yermak.
The Sunday negotiations may be able to tweak some of the points in the 28-point plan, but a U.S. official told the Washington Examiner on Friday that it’s implied there isn’t much space for wiggle room.
“It was strongly implied to the Ukrainians that the United States expects them to agree to a peace deal,” they said. “Any changes will be decided upon by the president himself.”
When asked about the proposal on Saturday, Trump clarified that it wasn’t his final offer, but stressed his desire to achieve peace.
ZELENSKY SAYS UKRAINE FACES ‘MOST INTENSE’ PRESSURE TO ACCEPT DEAL OR RISK LOSING US SUPPORT
“We’re trying to get it ended. One way or the other, we have to get it ended,” he said on the White House lawn, referring to the war that will stretch into its fifth year in a little over a month.
When a reporter asked what would happen if Zelensky rejected the plan, Trump said, “Then he can continue to fight his little heart out.”