Ukraine’s allies have expressed concern about a US plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, saying the draft proposals are “a foundation that will require additional work.”
In a joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa, they said the plan “includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace” but cited concerns about borders and the limitations of Ukraine’s armed forces.
It comes a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that kyiv was facing “one of the most difficult moments in our history” under pressure to accept the plan, the leaked details of which have been seen as favorable to Moscow.
US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine until November 27 to agree to the 28-point plan, while Russian President Vladimir Putin said it could be the “basis” for a deal.
Saturday’s joint statement was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany and Norway. It was also signed by two senior EU officials.
The statement said: “We are ready to engage to ensure that future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders should not be changed by force.”
“We are also concerned about proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.”
He added: “Implementation of EU-related and NATO-related elements would require the consent of EU and NATO members respectively.”
The widely leaked US peace plan proposes that Ukrainian troops withdraw from the part of the eastern Donetsk region they currently control, and de facto Russian control of Donetsk, as well as the neighboring Luhansk region and the southern Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
The plan also includes freezing the borders of the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine along the current battle lines. Both regions are partially occupied by Russia.
The US draft would also limit Ukraine’s military to 600,000 troops, with European fighter jets stationed in neighboring Poland.
kyiv would receive “reliable security guarantees,” the plan says, although no details have been given. The document says it is “expected” that Russia will not invade its neighbors and that NATO will not expand further.
The plan also suggests that Russia will be “reintegrated into the global economy,” by lifting sanctions and inviting Russia to rejoin the G7 group of the world’s most powerful countries, making it the G8 again.
On Friday, Trump said Zelensky “would have to like” the US proposals, adding that otherwise Ukraine and Russia would continue fighting.
Hours earlier, the Ukrainian leader addressed the nation with a stern warning that the country “could face a very difficult choice: lose face or risk losing a key partner.”
“Today is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” Zelensky added, pledging to work “constructively” with the Americans on the plan.
On Saturday, Zelensky announced that his office chief, Andriy Yermak, would head Ukraine’s negotiating team.
kyiv is critically dependent on deliveries of advanced American-made weaponry, including air defense systems to repel deadly Russian airstrikes, as well as intelligence provided by Washington.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday that Moscow had received the US plan, but said it had not been discussed in detail with the Kremlin.
He added that Moscow was willing to “show flexibility” but was also willing to keep fighting.
Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In recent months, Russian troops have been advancing slowly in the southeastern region of Ukraine, despite numerous reported combat casualties.
