European Officials Reject US Peace Plan That Would Force Kyiv to Surrender Territory

The White House’s draft peace plan for Ukraine has drawn immediate pushback from European officials, who warned that no agreement can be negotiated without Kyiv’s consent—and that peace cannot come at the price of Ukrainian capitulation, Wall Street Journal reported on November 20.

According to US officials, the Trump administration has prepared a 28-point proposal that would require Ukraine to surrender territory in the east it still controls, cap the size of its military, and limit the long-range weapons it receives. The plan would also exclude a European “reassurance force” that EU states have offered to send to Ukraine under a future settlement.

European capitals said they were neither involved nor briefed during the drafting process. Several senior diplomats said they are now preparing to use their channels in Washington to push the administration away from what they view as terms overly favorable to Moscow, according to Wall Street Journal.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that any deal must be backed by Ukraine and its European partners, noting that no concessions have been made by Russia. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot added that Europe will not support any outcome that resembles a Ukrainian capitulation.

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Kyiv has repeatedly rejected territorial concessions, arguing that such terms would only allow Russia to regroup and launch new offensives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said any agreement must include firm security guarantees.

Ukrainian officials maintain that ceding key defensive positions in the Donbas—where Russia’s forces have inched forward at enormous cost—would leave the country more vulnerable to future attacks, Wall Street Journal wrote.

Europe, now providing most of Ukraine’s budget and military financing, is working on a plan to unlock up to $200 billion in immobilized Russian assets in Belgium as a loan for Kyiv. Officials emphasized that their financial and political commitments make it essential that Europe plays a central role in shaping any credible peace process.

Previously, it was reported that the European Union has a firm and uncomplicated roadmap for achieving peace in Ukraine—one built on two pillars: weakening Russia and supporting Ukraine. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas reiterated this approach, European Pravda reported from Brussels.

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