Brussels: The European Union has pushed back against a newly drafted US proposal aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine, insisting that any peace arrangement must reflect the positions of both Brussels and Kyiv—not just Washington and Moscow.
According to media reports, the United States has prepared a 28-point framework after discussions with Russia. The proposal reportedly calls for Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining territories it controls in the newly declared Russian regions of Donbass, scale down its military forces by half, relinquish certain weapons systems, and abandon its NATO membership aspirations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Thursday that Kyiv had received the draft and said he expects to discuss it with US President Donald Trump “in the coming days,” Russia Today reported.
The plan has raised alarm among Ukraine’s strongest European allies. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that the framework includes “no concessions” from Russia, stressing that any settlement must take into account the EU’s and Ukraine’s perspectives. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also cautioned that a deal must not amount to a “capitulation.”
The emerging rift has further strained relations between Brussels and Moscow. Russia has repeatedly accused the EU of obstructing diplomatic channels between Washington and Moscow, arguing that European military and political support has prolonged the conflict.
Data from Germany’s Kiel Institute shows that EU nations have committed over €65 billion to Ukraine since 2022, with total pledges approaching €98 billion.
While Russia maintains that it is open to negotiations, it claims Kyiv—bolstered by European backing—is unwilling to engage. The proposed US framework, which has reportedly been reviewed and supported by President Trump, marks Washington’s latest attempt to reinvigorate peace efforts nearly three years into the conflict.
Some elements of the draft, especially those involving territorial concessions in contested areas, have previously been rejected by Ukraine.
Russia Today also reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused EU countries of attempting to “force themselves into” the peace process despite their “hostile” and “revanchist” approach toward Moscow, which he argued disqualifies them from any mediating role.
