European leaders are rapidly crafting counter-proposals in response to former U.S. President Trump’s peace plan regarding Ukraine. This initiative comes as more than a dozen key leaders convened at the G20 summit in Johannesburg. Notable figures including Germany’s Friedrich Merz, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and the U.K.’s Keir Starmer participated in urgent discussions alongside EU’s Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian official Mark Carney.
Leaders Address Trump’s ‘Non-Starter’ Proposal
The group met to coordinate their response with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Following the discussions, the leaders issued a joint statement acknowledging that the draft plan needed further refinement. They emphasized the need to maintain that borders must not be altered by force.
Concerns About Ukraine’s Military Limitations
Leaders expressed apprehension over proposed restrictions on Ukraine’s military capabilities. They argued that such limitations could expose Ukraine to future threats. Their commitment to ongoing support for Ukraine remains strong, with clear statements indicating that any peace deal affecting EU or NATO must secure consent from member states.
- Meeting Participants:
- Friedrich Merz (Germany)
- Emmanuel Macron (France)
- Keir Starmer (United Kingdom)
- Ursula von der Leyen (European Union)
- Mark Carney (Canada)
Upcoming High-Level Talks
In addition to these discussions, Rustem Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine’s national defense and security council, announced upcoming high-level negotiations involving U.S. officials. These talks are set to occur in Switzerland and are expected to commence soon. They will include national security advisers from Ukraine, the U.S., France, the U.K., Germany, and the EU.
Bjoern Seibert, the head of cabinet for Ursula von der Leyen, is also anticipated to attend the pivotal discussions. These dialogues aim to address the strategic challenges facing Ukraine and seek a unified stance among its allies regarding peace negotiations.
