Ukraine and Europe Scramble to Counter US Peace Plan Favoring Russia Amid Tight Deadline

Ukraine and its European allies are urgently crafting counterproposals following a US peace plan for the Ukraine war that heavily favors Russia and demands significant concessions from Kyiv. The 28-point initiative, proposed by US President Donald Trump, requires Ukraine to cede territory, reduce its military size, and pledge to never join NATO. Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the proposal, calling it a potential foundation for lasting peace.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the plan’s terms and vowed to propose alternatives that protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and interests. In a joint meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa, European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Keir Starmer discussed how to strengthen their response to the US framework. EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of including Ukraine in all negotiations.

The plan sets a Thanksgiving deadline—November 27th—for Ukraine to agree. Trump described the timetable as appropriate but somewhat flexible, warning that failure to accept could prolong the war, with Kyiv risking the loss of Washington’s support. Vice President JD Vance defended the plan’s realism, criticizing expectations that more weapons and sanctions alone can secure victory on the battlefield.

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Ukraine currently faces harsh conditions as Russian forces gain ground and key cities endure brutal bombardments during a severe winter. Meanwhile, an ongoing corruption scandal in Kyiv’s energy sector has added to domestic challenges. Zelensky acknowledged the difficult choices ahead, highlighting the tension between safeguarding national dignity and maintaining crucial international alliances.

The US-backed proposal also includes economic elements such as using some frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction and Russia’s eventual reintegration into global trade forums. However, critics argue that it grants Moscow a diplomatic win by effectively recognizing its control over disputed territories and limiting Ukraine’s defense capabilities and Western alignment. Negotiations now hinge on balancing these starkly divergent positions to halt one of Europe’s most devastating conflicts.

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