 "US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with European leaders at the White House for negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine. Reuters")
US President Donald Trump clarified on Saturday that the controversial Russia-Ukraine peace plan is not his “final offer” for Kyiv as Western allies raise concerns over the key criteria of the proposal. The remarks from Trump came shortly after Europe, Canada and Japan said the plan had elements “essential for a just and lasting peace”, but would “require additional work”.
The Ukrainian allies went on to cite concerns over border changes and caps on Ukraine’s army. Security officials from the UK, France, Germany, the US and Ukraine are now expected to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss the 28-point proposal. It is pertient to note that Trump has given Ukraine until 27 November to accept the 28-point plan, while Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said it could be the “basis” for a settlement.
When asked on Saturday if the current draft was the final offer for Ukraine, Trump told reporters at the White House, “No, not my final offer.” “One way or another, we have to get it [the war] ended, so we’re working on it,” he added. Meanwhile, US Secretary Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are also expected to be among those taking part in talks in Geneva on Sunday.
Western leaders worry about Ukraine’s future
The Saturday joint statement regarding the Ukraine peace plan was signed by leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway at the G20 leaders’ summit in South Africa. Two of the top EU officials present at the international event were also among the signatories.
“We believe, therefore, that the draft is a basis which will require additional work. 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,” the statement said.
“We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.” “The implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to Nato would need the consent of EU and Nato members, respectively,” it added.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with Zelenskyy, followed by a call with Trump, while he was at the G20 Summit in South Africa, the BBC reported. While speaking to Trump, a Downing Street spokesman said Starmer “relayed the discussions that have been taking place between Coalition of the Willing partners [Ukraine’s allies] in attendance at the G20 summit today”.
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View All“The leaders agreed their teams would work together on the 28-point US peace proposal in Geneva tomorrow. They agreed to speak again tomorrow,” the spokesperson added.
The controversial plan
The widely leaked US peace plan calls on Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the part of the eastern Donetsk region that they currently control, and de facto Russian control of Donetsk, as well as the neighbouring Luhansk region and the southern Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. The plan also proposes freezing the borders of Ukraine’s southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along the current battle lines. It is important to note that both regions are partially occupied by Russia.
The US draft will reportedly also limit Ukraine’s military to 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets stationed in neighbouring 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 neighbours and Nato will not expand further.
Trump’s Saturday clarification came a day after he said that Zelenskyy would “have to like” the US proposals, adding that otherwise Ukraine and Russia would continue fighting. In light of this, Zelenskyy addressed the nation, delivering a warning that the country “might face a very difficult choice: either losing dignity, 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.