European leaders have expressed concerns about the U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine and said the draft proposals provide “a basis that will require additional work.”
In a joint statement issued 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 over borders and limits on 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” due to pressure to accept the plan – leaked details of which were seen as favorable to Moscow.
US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine until November 27 to accept the 28-point plan, while Russian President Vladimir Putin said it could serve as a “basis” for a settlement.
The joint declaration was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany and Norway. Two senior EU officials also signed it.
The statement said: “We are ready to engage to ensure that a future peace is lasting. We are clear on the principle that borders should not be changed by force.
“We are also concerned about the proposed limitations on the Ukrainian armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.”
It adds: “Implementation of the elements relating to the European Union and NATO would require the consent of EU and NATO members respectively.”
