European Leaders Discuss Changes to US Peace Plan for Ukraine
European leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa to discuss the US-proposed peace plan for Ukraine. The leaders, including representatives from the G7 countries, European Commission, and European Council, affirmed their support for Kyiv and pushed back on parts of the controversial plan, stating it requires additional work
. As the November 27 deadline set by the Trump administration approaches, the EU is set to hold an emergency summit on Ukraine.
Background
The Trump administration's peace plan for Ukraine has caused quite a stir among European leaders and allies. The 28-point plan, which emerged after extensive discussions between Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and US officials, calls for significant concessions from Ukraine. These concessions have led several leaders to claim that the plan equates to Ukraine's surrender. The US has set a deadline for Ukraine to accept the proposal by November 27, Thanksgiving Day in the US.
Key Developments
The leaders' meeting, aimed at outlining a plan for further action, occurred in the absence of key figures like US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. European leaders, affirming their support for Ukraine, said that the US peace plan serves as a basis for negotiations but needs further work. They aim to achieve a more favorable agreement for Kyiv before the deadline.
Leaders of the European Union, the U.K., France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, and Finland said in a statement after meeting on the sidelines of a G20 summit, 'We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine,'
reported the Kyiv Independent.
Reactions and Implications
In response to the plan, Trump stated that if Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, doesn't like the plan, he should just keep fighting. This sentiment was echoed by Russian President Putin, who stated that if Kyiv rejects the proposal, it faces repeated developments at other important sections of the frontline.
On the other hand, Zelenskyy expressed concerns about the plan, stating that Ukraine faces a choice between losing dignity or risking the loss of a key partner, the US. His concerns were shared by European leaders, who rejected Trump's ultimatum for Kyiv and are seeking to halt the plan, which they see as drafted mainly between Washington and Moscow.
The Way Forward
As the deadline fast approaches, Europe is at a crossroads. The European Central Bank is considering unlocking a loan to Ukraine worth 8 billion by 2029. However, the plan's current status remains uncertain.
The European Council confirmed that an emergency summit on Ukraine will be held on November 24, focusing on the US-proposed 28-point plan. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the outcome of this summit and the response from Ukraine and its allies.