Ukraine’s allies have voiced concerns over a US plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, saying draft proposals are “a basis which will require additional work”.
In a joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa, they said the plan “includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace”, but cited concerns over borders and limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces.
It comes a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Kyiv faced “one of the most difficult moments in our history” over pressure to accept the plan – leaked details of which have been seen as favourable to Moscow.
US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine until 27 November to accept the 28-point plan, while Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said it could be the “basis” for a settlement.
Saturday’s joint statement was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway. Two top EU officials also signed it.
The statement said: “We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force.
“We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.”
It added: “The implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to Nato would need the consent of EU and Nato members respectively”.
The widely leaked US peace plan proposes Ukrainian troops withdraw from the part of the eastern Donetsk region that they currently control, and de facto Russian control of Donetsk, as well as the neighbouring Luhansk region and the southern Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
The plan also includes freezing the borders of Ukraine’s southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along the current battle lines. Both regions are partially occupied by Russia.
The US draft would also limit Ukraine’s military to 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets stationed in neighbouring Poland.
Kyiv would receive “reliable security guarantees”, the plan says, although no details have been given. The document says “it is expected” that Russia will not invade its neighbours and Nato will not expand further.
The plan also suggests Russia will be “reintegrated into the global economy”, through the lifting of sanctions and by inviting Russia to rejoin the G7 group of the world’s most powerful countries – making it the G8 again.
On Friday, Trump said Zelensky would “have to like” the US proposals, adding otherwise Ukraine and Russia would continue fighting.
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian leader addressed the nation with a stark warning that the country “might face a very difficult choice: either losing dignity, or risk losing a key partner”.
“Today is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” Zelensky added, pledging to work “constructively” with the Americans on the plan.
On Saturday, Zelensky announced his head of office Andriy Yermak would lead Ukraine’s negotiating team.
Kyiv is critically dependent on deliveries of US-made advanced weaponry, including air defence systems to repel deadly Russian air assaults, as well as intelligence provided by Washington.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday confirmed Moscow had received the US plan – but said it had not been discussed with the Kremlin in detail.
He added Moscow was willing to “show flexibility” – but was also prepared to fight on.
Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In recent months, Russian troops have been slowly advancing in Ukraine’s south-eastern region – despite reported heavy combat casualties.
