“Most of the heads of foreign affairs of the European Union states that they have not seen what the US peace plan looks like”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
Almost all EU foreign ministers who spoke to the press insisted that no peace negotiations could take place without the participation of Ukraine.
French Minister Jean-Noel Barro emphasized that “peace does not mean surrender”. According to him, it would be rational to start with an “immediate unconditional ceasefire”.
“We want peace, Ukrainians want peace: a just one that respects sovereignty, and a long-lasting one that cannot be called into question due to future aggressions. But peace is not surrender. We do not want the surrender of Ukraine, and it is obvious that the Ukrainians, who have been heroically resisting for more than three years, will never agree to surrender,” Barro said.
Czech Minister Jan Lipavsky said that “this is the Munich scenario again” and the principle of “Ukraine without Ukraine”.
Danish minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the available information “rumors” and said that it is necessary to find out what is true and what is not.
“First of all, we have to find out whether the “big players” are really behind this plan or not. There are rumors of some sort of plan. But the position should be clear: the issue of a possible exchange of territories cannot be discussed without the participation of Ukraine. We have stated this absolutely unequivocally,” Rasmussen said, adding that Denmark continues to support “Trump’s initial position of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.”
Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands David van Weel said that “anyone who is trying to bring peace deserves recognition” and declined to comment until he saw the document.
In response to journalists’ remarks that the plan involves freezing the front line or reducing the armed forces, the minister said that it is about some uncertain excerpts and passages and “this is not a sufficient basis to draw conclusions.”
Polish minister Radoslav Sikorskyi said he welcomed peace efforts but hoped restrictions would be placed on the aggressor rather than the victim.
“We welcome peaceful efforts, but Europe is the main donor and main supporter of Ukraine, and it is European security that is at stake. So we expect consultations. And I hope that the restrictions will not be imposed on the victim, restraining his defensive capabilities, but on the aggressor, limiting his potential for aggression,” said Sikorsky
Lithuanian minister Kyastutis Budris doubt that anyone has seen the text of the plan.
“I didn’t see him. I have not met anyone this morning who has seen the document or can comment on the details. So without seeing the details, I can’t comment on them. But I can comment on the principles: sovereignty, territorial integrity – we must protect them. This is important,” Budris said.
Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain Manuel Albarez Bueno insisted on the need to preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine and that peace negotiations should begin with a ceasefire.
“Spain will support any possibility of establishing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, but it must be absolutely clear: any peace proposal must be based on respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” Bueno said.
Hungarian minister Peter Sijarto said Hungary “supports President Trump’s plans” for peace. He expressed doubts about Ukraine’s ability to win.
“The war has been going on for almost four years. And Russia is capturing more and more Ukrainian territories. It’s not about Ukraine occupying Russia or pushing it away, on the contrary, Russia is advancing. And the sanctions did not bring the Russian economy to its knees. That is why it is an illusion to think that time is on Ukraine’s side,” Sijarto said.
The day before, the international media reported that the new project of the peace agreement proposed by the United States envisages a reduction in the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a reduction in American military aid, which is an important support for Ukraine’s struggle against Russian forces. In addition, no foreign troops will be allowed on Ukrainian territory, and Kyiv will no longer receive long-range weapons.
Kyiv will cede control over the eastern region of Donbas, but will retain legal ownership, Russia will pay an “undisclosed rent” for actual control over the region, The Telegraph writes with reference to sources.
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Instead, it is not reported what concessions Moscow should make.
The proposals, detailed by The Financial Times and Reuters, are largely in line with tough demands Russia has made since earlier this year, when President Donald Trump decided to open direct talks with Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Moscow said it was open to talks on Ukraine, adding that it could arrange a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin if necessary.
According to NBC News, the plan for a peaceful settlement of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, which high-ranking officials of the US administration secretly developed in consultation with Moscow, has already received the support of US President Donald Trump.
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Kyiv did not officially respond to these reports.
Shortly after the news of these proposals spread, Zelenskyy published a message on the Telegram channel, where he thanked the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for conducting the negotiations.
He also praised President Trump’s “decisive steps and leadership and every strong and just proposal to end this war.”
Axios reported on November 18 that Witkoff was supposed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Wednesday in Turkey, but postponed his trip. As RFE/RL reported, a diplomatic source said, this meeting did not take place.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said in October that Ukraine supports the ceasefire and is ready for diplomacy, but not on the condition that the Ukrainian military must “leave certain areas, giving our land to the aggressor.”