From Washington to Brussels: How the EU Sees the Peace Proposal

The European Union has drawn clear “red lines” in response to the peace plan proposed by the United States, stressing that any agreement must respect Ukraine's sovereignty and security.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to various media.

Brussels warned that allowing Russia to change borders by force or veto Kyiv's future membership in the EU is unacceptable and poses a direct threat to European security.

During the G20 summit in South Africa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the EU's basic conditions for any peace plan.

• Ukraine's borders cannot be changed by force. This means a complete rejection of any territorial concessions to Russia under pressure.
• Restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces are unacceptable. Any restrictions that make the country vulnerable to future attacks undermine European security.
• The EU must play a central role in ensuring peace. Any decision on Ukraine must take into account the position of the European Union and its involvement in ensuring stability.

EU leaders stressed that any negotiations with Russia on territorial changes should only take place after hostilities along the current front line have ceased. This clause protects Ukraine from being forced to make concessions while the war is still ongoing.

In addition, according to sources familiar with the European counterproposal who spoke to Bloomberg, in response to the US 28-point plan, European countries are demanding security guarantees that reflect Article 5 of the NATO Mutual Defense Agreement. 

In particular, there is a proposal to use frozen Russian assets for reconstruction and compensation to Ukraine. Moscow's demands for Kyiv to withdraw from unoccupied territories in the east have been firmly rejected, and sanctions against Russia are to be lifted in stages only if Moscow complies with the agreement.

Meanwhile, more than 40 European parliamentarians and Ukrainian MPs sent a letter to US President Donald Trump, calling for continued strong support for Ukraine, increased assistance to protect its sovereignty, and ensuring stability in Europe and the world.

They stress that any weakness on the part of the West encourages aggression by authoritarian regimes and undermines global security. 

The letter emphasizes that the US, as the leader of the free world, must demonstrate a firm stance capable of deterring further Russian aggression and ensuring a just and lasting peace.

“While we applaud your efforts to pursue peace, it is important to keep the words of President Ronald Reagan in mind when asked about his strategy for dealing with the Soviet Union: ‘We win, they lose,’” the letter says, emphasizing that the US, Europe, and Ukraine must win, while Russia and its evil allies must suffer defeat.

It is worth recalling that EU representatives also had the opportunity to join the Geneva talks with US and Ukrainian national security advisers on Saturday, November 23. European leaders emphasize that no peace agreement can be reached without Ukraine's direct participation.

The European Union is represented by senior officials, including Bjoern Seibert and Pedro Lourtie, heads of the cabinets of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, respectively.

The meeting is still ongoing, with a constructive mood reported. President Zelenskyy highlighted that the Ukrainian delegation is working to find practical solutions to end the war, restore peace, and guarantee lasting security. 

He noted that early discussions indicate that US proposals could reflect key elements of Ukraine’s vision and national interests, and work continues to ensure all elements are effective in achieving the main goal: ending the bloodshed and the war.

Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, added that the Ukrainian delegation has already held its first meetings with the national security advisers from the U.K., France, and Germany and will next meet with the US delegation. 

"We continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine," he concluded.

As The Gaze reported earlier, the United States is preparing to dispatch a delegation of senior generals to Moscow next week. 

Read more on The Gaze: What Could Security Guarantees for Ukraine Look Like?