European Leaders Reject Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan
European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, have taken a firm stance against US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for the ongoing war in Ukraine. The plan, which has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, is seen as favoring Russia and potentially leaving Ukraine vulnerable to further attacks. As a result, the leaders have expressed their refusal to accept the proposal in its current form.
Under the White House-Kremlin plan, Ukraine would be required to cede territory it has defended since February 2022, including the Donbas region in the east. Additionally, the country would need to reduce the size of its military, lift sanctions against Russia, and integrate back into the global economy. These terms have raised concerns among European leaders, who argue that such conditions could weaken Ukraine’s position and undermine its sovereignty.
The plan also includes restrictions on NATO troops stationed in Ukraine, limiting foreign fighter jets to Poland, and restricting Ukraine’s military to 600,000 troops—a reduction of 25%. Furthermore, Ukraine would be prohibited from possessing long-range weapons capable of reaching Russia. These measures have been met with strong opposition from European leaders, who emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
Sir Keir Starmer, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, issued a joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa. They stressed that the US President cannot make demands regarding NATO and the EU without their consent, adding that “borders cannot be changed by force.” This joint statement reflects the shared concern among European leaders about the implications of the proposed plan.
Sir Keir expressed his worries about the plan to cap the size of the Ukrainian military, stating, “We are concerned about that because it’s fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if there’s a ceasefire.” His comments highlight the critical importance of maintaining Ukraine’s military capabilities to ensure its security.
Critics of the plan have called it a betrayal of Ukraine, with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson describing the 28-point proposal as “military castration.” A former Royal Anglian Regiment soldier, Shaun Pinner, who fought for Ukraine against Russian forces at Mariupol, described the plan as “surrender dressed up as diplomacy,” expressing deep anger and frustration.
Sir Keir recently spoke to Mr. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aiming to act as a bridge between Europe and the US to refine the proposals into a more acceptable plan. Mr. Zelensky acknowledged the conversation, stating, “We had a long conversation and covered many nuances of diplomatic work in planning the peace process.” He emphasized the continued coordination and expressed gratitude for British support.
In a phone call to Mr. Trump, Mr. Merz made it clear that Europe must be part of any process to end the war. He added, “If Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, it will have an impact on European politics as a whole, on the entire European continent – and that is why we are so committed to this issue.”
When asked whether the plan was his final offer to end the war, Mr. Trump responded, “No, not my final offer. We’d like to get to peace. It should’ve happened a long time ago. One way or the other, we have to get it ended.” US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll echoed this sentiment, saying, “No deal is perfect, but it must be done sooner rather than later.”
US officials have reportedly told NATO allies that they will push Mr. Zelensky into agreeing to the deal by threatening that if he does not sign, he will face a much worse deal in the future. Mr. Trump has given him until Thursday to make a decision.
Delegates from Kyiv will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Geneva, Switzerland, today, alongside officials from Britain and Europe. Mr. Zelensky stated he would work around the clock to find a path forward but would not betray his country.
No. 10 stated, “We want a ceasefire and we have been pushing for that.” However, it insisted, “There can be no let-up in support for Ukraine.” US Vice-President JD Vance defended the plan, arguing that peace “won’t be made by failed diplomats or politicians living in a fantasy land” but by “smart people living in the real world.” He emphasized that the White House’s approach is rooted in pragmatic diplomacy rather than unrealistic expectations.
Sir Keir’s spokesman denied that Britain had been excluded from Mr. Trump’s peace negotiations, highlighting the “excellent relationship” between the leaders. The situation remains fluid, with the focus now shifting to Geneva, where further discussions are expected to take place.
